TheatreOrgan Bombarde

JOURNAL of the AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN ENTHUSIASTS

~· :L~ MacCLAIN • "Melody Mac"· 1900-1967 New Wurlitzer Theatre Organ

The modern Theatre Console Organ that combines the grandeur of yesterday with the electronic wizardry of today. Command performance! Wurl itzer combines the classic Horseshoe Design of the immortal Mighty Wurlitzer with the exclusive Total Tone electronic circuitry of today. Knowledge and craftsmanship from the Mighty Wurlitzer Era have produced authentic console dimensions in this magnificent new theatre organ. It stands a part, in an instru­ ment of its size, from all imitative theatre organ • Dual system of tone generation • Authentic Mighty Wurlitzer Horseshoe Design designs. To achieve its big, rich and electrifying • Authentic voicing of theatrical Tibia and tone, Wurlitzer harmonically "photographed" Kinura originating on the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ voices of the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ to • Four families of organ tone serve as a standard. The resultant voices are au­ • Two 61-note keyboards • 25-note pedal keyboard with two 16' and thentic individually, and when combined they two 8' pedal voices augmented by Sustain blend into a rich ensemble of magnificent dimen­ • Multi-Matic Percussion ® with Ssh-Boom ®, Sustain, Repeat, Attack, Pizzicato, and sion. Then, to crown the accomplishment, we Bongo Percussion incorporated the famous Wurlitzer Multi-Matic • Silicon transistors for minimum maintenance Percussion ® section with exclusive Ssh-Boom ® • Reverb, Slide, Chimes, and Solo controls • Electronic Vibrato (4 settings) that requires no special playing techniques, • Exclusive 2 speed Spectra-Tone ® Sound Pizzicato Touch that was found only on larger pipe in Motion • Two-channel solid state amplifiers, 70 watts organs, Chimes and Slide Control ... and dozens total distributed output of other features that no other organ can offer. • 8 speakers (two rotating) • Theatre furniture styling in walnut or See ... hear ... play this magnificent organ today. antique white and gold URLI ZER means Music to millions pianos • organs • electronic pianos • guitars • _,• stereos • band instruments. DeKalb, Illinois 60115 ~~----ATOS _MIIO&ivBsI LIBRARY

THE COVER PHOTO TheatreOrgan Volume 9, No. 5

ORGANIST LEONARD MacLAIN was one of ATOE's best friends and strongest supporters, having been named Honorary Member for 1962. His passing is a genuine Boffibarde loss, not only for his many personal friends, but for the Volume 4, No. 5 theatre organ world at large. But "Melody Mac" has left us some superb theatre organ recordings and a long his­ tory of accomplishments on behalf of the instrument and A. T. 0. E. National Membership is $6.00 per year, the music he knew and loved so well. That he continued which includes a subscription to Theatre Organ/ his contribution up to the closing hours of his life may Bombarde, the official publication of the American be seen in the article on page 3 of this issue. Theatre Organ Enthusiasts. Make check or money order payable to A. T. 0. E., and mail to P. 0 . Box 7404, Bitter Lake Station, Seattle , Wash. 98133. ALL MATERIAL FOR PUBLICATIONS FROM THE MAIN CHAMBER . .. SHOULD BE SENT TO THIS ADDRESS * * * This magazine has been delayed due to the change­ over in publication sites and directors, and in order to A. T.O.E. Officers properly include pertinent articles. Salute to Bill Dick ( Richard H. ) Schrum Peterson on a job well done; and to Tom Kaasa: Richard F. Kline Jr., Vice President Marilyn Schrum, National Secretary Rotsa Ruck! W. "Tiny" James, Treasurer

-•- A. T. 0. E. Board of Directors We are all profoundly sad to note the passing of Carl Norvell, Chairman "Melody Mac," who was dear to many of us Dorothy MacClain per~onally, all of us through his contributions to Dr. Phillip C. Olson theatre organ music and A.T.O.E. Don Hall W. "Tiny" James Richard F. Kline Jr. -•- Allen W. Rossiter This looks like a big season coming up. Plans have Judd Walton been made for many outstanding events around the Erwin A. Young Jr. nation, new memberships keep pouring in, and no less than six groups are sincerely interested in A. T. 0. E. Honorary Members Chapter Charters. More chapters are acquiring their 1959- Jesse Crawford own instruments, and A.T.O.E. is building in 1960-Farny Wurlitzer 1961 - Mel Doner all directions. 1962 -Leonard MacClain 1963 -Eddie Dunstedter -•- 1964-Reginald Foort Congratulations to the American Guild of Organists 1965 - Dan Barton on the inception of their own magazine, "The A.G.O. 1966 - W. "Tiny" James Magazine." An article on the history of the A.T.O.E. 1967-Erwin A. Young Jr. has been requested from National, and Billy EDITORIAL STAFF Nalle, Charter Member and journalist extraordinaire Publications Director-Tom Kaasa will write a tome entitled "The Renaissance Of The Theatre Organ." Other A.T.O.E. members will be THEATRE ORGAN asked to contribute, as there is a considerable Editor-George Thompson overlapping of membership in the two groups. Our Associate Editor-Ray Brubacher, best wishes to the new publication. Lloyd Kloss -•- THE BOMBARDE The dates of the next Annual Meeting and Convention, Editor-W. "Stu" Green Associate Editor-Peg Nielson to be held in Los Angeles, has been set Saturday, Advertising Manager-Dewey Cagle July 13 through Tuesday, July 16. The banquet Circulation Manager-Vi Thompson and Annual Membership Meeting will be held in the world famous Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel. Plan your vacations now! Theatre Organ/Bombarde (title registered U.S. Patent Office) is published bi-monthly by the American Theatre Organ Enthusiasts , Richard H. Schrum, president. All rights reserved. Entire contents copy­ righted 1966 by A. T. 0. E., P. 0. Box 7404, Bitter Lake, Washington 98133 . Printed by University Printing Co., Seattle . Advertising address: Dewey Cagle, 329 1 Guido St., Dick Schrum , President Oakland , California, 94602. POSTMASTER: Second Class postage paid at Seattle, Washington. IF UNDELIVERABLE, send form 3579 to A.T.O.E. Circulation Dept., Box 1314, Salinas, Calif.

1 theatre organ I bombarde By Bill Peterson, Number 6 in a series THE LOS ANGELES THEATRE, LOS ANGELES Although not as large as some, this magnificent movie palace truly ranks as one of America's most beautiful. It opened in 1931 with a seating capacity of 2,190, and was designed by S. Charles Lee. Patrons entering were greeted by a crystal fountain at the head of the grand stairway, and could wait for the next show in the handsome paneled oval lounge on the lower level. This room had a wall mounted screen that through prisms projected the image that was on the big auditorium screen. Management also installed electric cigar lighters in the walls of the lounge. Adjacent to this room was a complete soda fountain cafe with counter plus table and chairs. The house is still operating, and the 2/ 10 Wurlitzer is still intact, having been used by Ann Leaf for a concert in recent years.

Photo from Helgeson Collection

october 1967 THEDELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTERLANDS ITS MOLLER by ROY H. CARUTH Photos by Robert B. Little The recent death of one of organdom 's again, despite the cold that prevailed rn greats, Leonard MacClain, makes this story the auditorium that day. a poignant tribute to the man. Written months before his passing, it is a much Various members took their turns, de­ more telling tribute to "Melody Mac" than spite numb fingers and tightly buttoned any eulogy we could write.-W.S .G. overcoats . The Delaware Valley Chapter of Wayne Zimmerman, as a boy, used to ATOE met on Sunday, Feb. 26, 1967, at come to this theatre and wonder what the Sedgewick Theatre in Philadelphia, was hidden under those covers in the pit . He was too young to have heard theatre Pa., for a farewell salute to the shuttered Violet Egger, the Sedgewick's last regular or­ theatre and to hear the 3-19 Moller ganist (to 1932), took a job as theatre cashier played for the last time in its original to be near her beloved instrument. She fondles home. it as skillfully today as she did "back when." The meeting was called to order by stored. The blower motor was turned on our lovely president, Dottie MacClain. but there was only silence ; the wind With words of welcome to the group trunk had been damaged. It was decided and "thanks " to the organ repair crew, to have this repaired and then determine she "presented " the organ to the meet­ whether restoration was possible. In June rng. of that year, the chapter met at the the­ First called to sit and play at the organ atre to see and hear a few ranks in the bench was Violet Egger. Violet was the Solo chamber . By June 1963, the first concert was held there with Leonard MacClain at the console. All pipes and traps were by then in working condition and sounding wonderful. In November 1965, Lowell Ayars presented the Moller Barbara Fesmire in concert. Shortly afterward the theatre was closed, the heat turned off and the organists in their "golden days." Wayne building reverted to its owners. A few did a beautiful job at the console, just a months ago, the building (with all fur­ neighborhood boy who got to know nishings, including the organ ) was of­ "what was under those covers" in the pit. fered at auction. The Delaware Valley How was this made possible? How (Continued on N ext Page) did it all come about? In February 1962, a group from the AN OLD FRIEND-Leonard MacClain, in one of his last public appearances, makes the Moller Delaware Valley chapter went to see if come alive with the beauty of his music . Wife the Sedgewick Theatre organ could be re- Dottie plays a heat lamp on his hands.

"THANKS FOR COMING"-Dottie MacClain's warm greeting took the edge off the winter chill. last staff organist at the Sedgewick The­ atre . Ending her tenure at the bench in 1932, she became the theatre's cashier while continuing to practice on the Moller before show time. No doubt, this helped keep the organ alive to those who came before the show. Leonard MacClain was next to play. Despite the bitter cold (no heat in the building ) and his recent illness, "Melody Mac" made the 19 ranks of pipes "purr and coo." All too soon he was playing "Auld Lang Syne." Next called to the organ was Barbara Fesmire. Barbara was also "at home" be­ cause she had been house organist from 1964 on. Her organ interludes between shows in those days kept most of the movie patrons in their seats. It was al­ ways a pleasant respite, and it was once

3 theatre organ I bombarde

Editor's N ote: In October 1966, an in ­ a flute pipe; some drums and little bells, terview, conducted by ATOE 'r D on Wa l­ and there was a roll mechanism. I played lace, uias aired on th e "Pipes on Parade" we'd put some music to it. We'd get a program of Los A ngeles radio station, the feature picture, then the rolls would KPF K, and f eatured prominent organist, come on and play the comedy and the cue sheet which would give some idea Gaylord Carter. ATOE mem ber, Jim serial. of the type of music. Of course, you Rayton taped th e program as it came "I remember the first solo I played on knew if you'd get a Spanish picture, over th e air, and sent a copy to Th eatre you'd play Spanish music, or an Oriental Organ f eature writer, Lloyd E. Klos , the thing. They said, 'Carter, you should who considered th e show so interestingly play a solo.' So, I got out one of the picture, that kind of thing . There were informat ive that he believed it should overtures ( I believe it was the Light always some little cue sheets which came be shared by th e ATOE m embership, Cavalry Overtur e), and played this in a along with the print which told the mu­ and transcribed th e program fr om th e sician what t0 do. tape, th en transposed it into this feature . little spotlight on this funny-looking lit­ Incidentally, Klos has known Gaylord tle piano keyboard . The manager of the "The cue sheet would give a few bars Carter since 1945, ·when both served in theater finally sprang for a 4-rank Robert of suggested music so that you'd get the th e Al eutians. Thi s will be discussed Morron organ . For playing the piano, I idea of what was involved. Ir would say, mo re full y later. had been getting $16 a week for seven probably, 'screening', which meant when "I was playing organ when I was going days, and when the organ was installed, the picture hit the screen. Then it would to high school in Wichita, Kan .," Career he raised my salary to $25 a week, which call for a fanfare. Then it said, 'Opening began . "My dad had a conservatory of seemed to me to be a perfectly mon­ titles,' and during this maybe one of the music, and was organist and choral di­ strous amount of money in 1923! themes was used . Then it would say, rector in the Episcopal Church there, so "This was when I played such things 'Scene: Boy and girl in boat,' and it I grew in an atmosphere of considerable as chase music. The same people were would indicate a Barcarolle type of music around the house. I finally sneaked chasing in the movie who are chasing in music. Then, 'Boat tips over- agitation into the organ loft one day, started fid­ the late-late-late TV show today. Either music,' and they'd indicate maybe Agi­ dling around a little bit , and pretty soon the good guys were after the bad guys, tato No. 3, by a composer by the name I was invited to play for Sunday School. or the other way around . But, the music of Cimino, who seems to have written Even in those days, when I was 14, I is the same, and it's the kind of thing hundreds of agitatos. Then it would say, used to stare playing what I considered you still hear. 'Children frolicking in the park,' and pretty wild popular music, and one time "When I started at UCLA (I was in you'd have some happy music, and they'd the rector came in and said, 'Look - the Class of 1928), I got a job in the Se­ give you from four t0 six bars. So, a you 've got t0 stop playing that high­ ville Theater in Inglewood , playing there page in a cue sheet is just a whole series falutin' music in here in this church. Ir's nights and going to college in the day­ of suggested types of music with a few not right!' time. This was a nice little theater where bars indicated and the running time of "In 1922, I came to Los Angeles, and the management was interested in good the scene, say 50 seconds, 2½ minutes while finishing high school, got a job in music for the pictures. They had an Estey or 3 ½ minutes. I'd go over these things the little Sunshine Theater down on organ of about six ranks of pipes, and and make some little marks, and then South Park at 54th Street. Ir had what we'd play a different picture, I recall, about the second time I'd play the pic­ they called a Y-0 , or a WurliTzer or­ every two days. ture, I'd know pretty well where I was chestra . This was a piano keyboard with "In those days, we'd have cue sheets; going .· two little sets of pipes, a string pipe and we wouldn 't see the picture first before (Continu ed on Page 36)

5 theatre organ I bombarde New Haven Success Story Business-like Approach and Tight Organization Result in a "Like New" Wurlitzer for the Connecticut Valley Chapter of ATOE by EMMERICH ZILLNER JTIS PRETTY much agreed among the boys"-certainly not in style or opu­ theatre historians that Connecticut lence, but as far as stage shows and per­ was, on the whole, a theatre-poor state . formers go, hardly any name actor or We never had a lavish 5,000-seat vaude­ actress missed playing the New Haven ville theatre. Our largest, the 4,000 -seat Paramount. Known until the latter part State Theatre in Hartford, took on some of the Twenties as the Olympia, the Par­ resemblance to a large hall rather than a amount was a first run house of the Bala­ Morch, 1966 splendid palace. It's possible that Con­ ban and Katz chain. The theatre stage is Photo: Henning-Miller necticut residents simply didn't appreci­ still equipped for live shows of all sorts, ate movie palaces in the roaring '20s­ ranging from legitimate theatre and equipped with a two-manual Steere organ perhaps they were too conservative . In opera to revues. In the heyday of vaude­ manufactured in New Haven. As the any event, our not-too-fabulous theatres ville, Balaban and Katz put together their movie and vaudeville industry mush­ also had not - too - fabulous organs. The ideas and performers for a given bill in roomed, it became obvious that a first­ majority were built by Austin, Hall, New York, and then sent the show, com­ run theatre like this required a more Steere and Moller, and few bore resem­ plete with scenery and costumes, for a spectacular organ than the Steere. The blance to the much-tailored theatre sound week's run at the New Haven Para­ 2-10 Wurlitzer was installed in 1927. A of Wurlitzers, Mortons, Kimballs and mount. Its appearance there amounted portion of the orchestra pit floor was re­ Marr and Coltons. In Connecticut, Rob­ to a "shakedown cruise," and by the time moved to install an elevator for the con­ ert Morton had a few installations, as did it left town the rough spots had been sole. In order to install the Wurlitzer Marr and Colton. Wurlitzer installed worked out and it was ready to start its pipework, it was necessary to make an about eight small organs, none totalling tour around the entire chain of theatres, opening approximately 4 feet by 5 feet in over 10 ranks. leading off at the world-famous Times the exterior brick wall of each chamber. There was one Connecticut theatre , Square Paramount. The Wurlitzer was used daily until however, that separated the "men from The Olympia, built in 1915, was 1933 when, like most other theatres, the Paramount abandoned regular stage shows and use of an orchestra and organ. October, 1967: Console Up! The New Hoven Paramount console ofter focelifting. It's white with gold leaf trim over a bright red carpet. After this, the instrument was used from time to time by various individuals who played it during the non-operating hours of the theatre. This kept the ciphers out. In 196 3, a severe leak in the roof ( since repaired) caused sufficient damage to the main chamber to necessitate shutting down the organ.

ENTER CONV AL CHAPTER LOOKING for a project that would give our organization continued ob­ jectives and purpose, our executive board negotiated with the theatre chain's presi­ dent in March of 1966, culminating in an agreement whereby we would rebuild the organ at no cost to the chain in re­ turn for use of the instrument and the­ atre for after - hours meetings and first refusal in the event of sale of the organ. To help us, we incorporated as the Con­ necticut Valley Theater Organ Society, Inc., and then secured an insurance pol­ icy which would cover members working on chapter projects. We consummated our agreement with the theatre in writing . We decided to rebuild the organ with the goal of using it for future concerts, (Continued on Page 8) october 1967 6 Becausetheatre organs areyour business, be sure to hearthe Conn DeluxeTheatre Organ.

The modern, complete theatre organ for the nos­ • 32-note AGO concave radiating pedalboard • 64 vari-colored illuminated coupler and talgic-and those who demand the finest. • Four families of tone control tabs • Solid state keyers • 60 watts total distributed power • Chorus Control • Walnut or antique white and gold finish THE CONN DELUXETHEATRE ORGAN FEATURES: • Tibia to Flute control • Independent tone generation • Sustain on manuals and pedalboard CONN ORGANS/CONN PIANOS • Two separate built-in speaker systems including • Pistons-six general presets, six reversible and Conn Organ Corporation • Elkhart, Indiana 2-speed Leslie two general cancel • Deluxe Rhythm Section • Piston indicator lights Made by C. G. Conn, Ltd., world's largest manufacturer • Two 61-note independent manuals • 37 theatrical speaking voices (including chimes) of band and orchestral instruments .. . since 1875

7 theatre organ I bombar-de NEW HAVEN responsibility for the solo chamber, tremendous amount of work and know­ where the trouble consisted mainly of how because of the poor quality of the SUCCESSSTORY dead and missing magnets, leaking reser­ wood. Wally Moore cleaned and repaint­ (Continued from Page 6) voirs and the inevitable dirt. This cham­ ed the Howard seat's metal frame and as we have no chapter home with a the­ ber, like the rest of the organ, was thor­ Joy Zublena recovered the seat with red oughly vacuumed. atre organ. Damage and condition of the velvet to match the new carpeting on the instrument was surveyed and work was elevaror platform. Stillman Rice cleaned found in every corner. Reservoirs were LL PIPES were washed, which en- A and regilded the decorative iron fence leaking badly in the water-damaged main tailed disassembling and cleaning of which outlines the platform. The key­ chamber. Due to ciphers, the air was shut all reeds . Members who originally off to the diapason and clarinet, leaving wouldn't have known a trumpet from a boards were removed and sent to Pratt only three ranks operating and these were frying pan can now talk about shallots, and Read for new bushings and new unreliable due to water damage. The reeds, resonators and boots like old hands. plastic key rops. Genuine ebony and hard console was in rough shape and had been Member Phil Stock loaned us his pipe white maple were obtained and Kurt painted black and gold some years back Conley replaced all worn pedal tops. He (not the best color for the Paramount's also built a brand-new music rack to interior motif). There were the usual Wurlitzer specifications ( the old one dead black cap magnets everywhere and, was long gone) . Jerry and Marie Patzold of course, everything was filthy. How­ furnished and applied the gold leaf, a ever, the lift operated and the blower job requiring knowledge, experience and was in good condition, so away we went. infinite patience. Ray Zublena rewound Time schedules were tight for every­ more than 50 magnets, a tricky and time­ one and we devised a plan whereby no consuming job. Now, there is not a dead one would have to work more than one magnet in the organ. Sunday per month. It went like this: The overall job was divided into four teams ( Main Chamber, Solo Chamber, Console, THE EXTREMELY important voicing Relays), each with its own team leader. and tremolo regulation is being done Volunteer workers were assigned to these by Roger Davis. Roger also took on the teams on the basis of their physical ca­ task of reassembling and regulating the pacity and technical skill. One team in keyboards and pedalboard. The keys not the theatre each Sunday assured the man­ only look beautiful but are regulated for agement of our continued good faith and excellent and proper touch response on got the job done. both first and second touch. Second rouch The first day all crews worked and we Cleaning the pipes-all 742 of them! Chairman was eliminated from the pedalboard, re­ got some 30 members to the theatre to Stillman Rice and Joy Zublena clean the Har­ sulting in improved depth and weight help remove all the pipes from the man­ monic Tuba Rank. Picture is dark because work of pedal. ual chests and some offset chests. These was done in the theatre's basement. Paramont were stored in specially made trays in the Theatre . Photo by Michael E. Foley. As this article is being written, we are blower room for future washing. fast approaching the time when we can washing tank, which was a ten -foot actually say the organ is finished. Thirty­ John Angevine headed the main cham­ length of 12- inch galvanized air duct two people made up our four crews and ber crew. The chests in this chamber had with the top removed and all seams sol­ been wet just enough to warp the under­ dered to make it water-tight. only six had previous experience in side of their top boards around the pallet working on a pipe organ. We feel our slots. Therefore, the pipes were not ci­ Everett Bassett took the lead in clean­ organization has been strengthened con­ phering at full volume, just "weeping. " ing and making changes in the relay siderably by this project on many counts: To correct the problem, the crew stripped room. To install the desired couplers, the the top boards of all pallets, guide pins, second touch eight-foot tibia and eight­ 1. We now have a fine organ in a the­ springs and spring rails. The boards were foot clarinet were abandoned on the solo atre where we can sponsor concerts then put through an electric planer to re­ manual. The only remaining solo second which will help us financially. store them to perfect level. Only as the touch tab , a 16-foot tuba, is being 2. We have proved tO the head of a boards passed under the blades of the changed to a solo-to-pedal coupler. New planer for the first time could the low fairly large theatre chain, our sincerity electric switches were used for the spots be seen. The hardware was then re­ and ability tO get the job done. In the placed and the chests are now operating couplers. event organs in this chain 's other thea­ fine. Each pallet on the diapason and The most striking change has been the tres become available for sale, it is en­ clarinet was releathered to insure contin­ console, which is now a gleaming off­ tirely possible we will be contacted. ued good operation. Some pneumatics white, generously decorated with genu­ 3. We have trained and prepared more also had to be releathered. Magnets under ine 14-karat gold leaf. The console team, of our members for possibly owning and the chests were hissing badly from dirt­ headed by Harold Weaver, had to strip clogged armatures . Some of the dirt was rebuilding a theatre organ of their own. off numerous coats of old paint and a so thick that notes would not play. Each heavy layer of gesso to get down to the cap and armature was removed and 4. Most important, we have tied our cleaned. Since this chamber is very tight bare wood; only then could the new fin­ chapter members rogether more closely for space and the chests were installed in ish be properly applied. Angelo Mas­ and drawn people who were previously two levels, the work performed here was tagni applied a beautiful deep, natural inactive into more active positions in our little short of heroic. mahogany finish to the boards on the in­ organization. All through rebuilding a Frank Manion and Mike Foley shared terior of the console, which involved a Wurlitzer.

october 1967 8 SPECIFICATIONS OF THE NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT 2 MANUAL 10 RANK WURLITZER PIPE ORGAN EDDIE WEA VER SET SOLO ACCOMP. PEDAL FOR CONCERT AT THE Tuba 16' Viol 16' Tuba 16' Diaphone 16' Vox Humana 16' Diaphone 16' NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT Tibia (Tenor C) 16' Tuba 8' Bourdon 16' 8' Bourdon 16' Diaphonic Diapason 8' Tuba The Connecticut Valley Chapter pre­ Viol 16' Tibia 8' Diapason 8' Harmonic Tuba 8' Kinura 8' Tibia 8' sented a fall concert October 20th, Clarinet 8' Diaphonic Diapason 8' Orchestral Oboe 8' played by the famed organist-enter­ Tibia 8' Clarinet 8' Cello 8' Kinura 8' Violin 8' Flute 8' tainer Eddie Weaver, the first "big Orchestral Oboe 8' Violin Celeste 8' Octave 4' name" artist in a series planned by the Clarinet 8' Vox Humana 8' Bass Drum Violin 8' Flute 8' Bass Drum ConValChaps now that they have an Violin Celeste 8' Piccolo (tibia) 4' Kettle Drum instrument in top shape. For Weaver it Vox Humana 8' Viol 4' Crash Cymbal Concert Flute 8' Viol Celeste 4' Cymbal will be like "old home week." He's no Clarion 4' Vox Humana 4' Solo to Pedal 8' stranger to the theatre or instrument. Octave 4' Flute 4' Piccolo (tibia) 4' Piccolo (flute) 2' TREMOLOS Viol 4' Chrysoglott Main Viol Celeste 4' Castanets Solo Flute 4' Tambourine Vox Humana Twelfth (Flute) 2-2/3' Snare Drum Tuba Fifteenth (Violin) 2' Tom Tom Piccolo (Flute) 2' Wood Block Tierce (Flute) 1-3/5' Chimes Sleigh Bells SECOND TOUCH Orchestral Bel Is Glockenspiel Tuba 8' Xylophone Tibia 8' Chrysoglott Clarinet 8' Solo Octave 4' Chimes Solo Sub Octave 16' Triangle Xylophone

Eddie as sketched for the cover of his current BREAKDOWN OF RANKS record release. Ten Pistons per manual SOLO CHAMBER MAIN CHAMBER Violin At 18, he took the New Haven Para­ Seven Toe Studs Tibia Tuba Violin Cello mount's Wurlitzer by the reins and drove Three effect buttons on Kinura Flute manual cheeks Orchestral Oboe Clarinet it for six tremendously successful years. Vox Humana Diapason During these years, he became the most Xylophone Chrysog Iott Xylophone popular theatre organist in the state. Chimes Large salaries and fancy cars were his Glockenspiel Non-tonal Percussions even during the great depression and, when the bubble broke in 1933, he didn't throw in the towel. His drive, per­ sonality and talent kept him busy doing what he knew best-entertaining people through his ability at the theatre organ. DON'T FORGET! Eddie is one of a handful of people in the world who still plays a theatre's pipe ATOE organ on a regular paid basis. Eddie's big spots are New Haven's Paramount and Richmond's (Virginia) Loew's and Byrd National dues Theatres. All have Wurlitzers, and New Haven's is the smallest; but nevertheless, it provided a beginning for a fine man. for 1968

will be $7.00 R.S.V.P. ATOE members visiting in the from area who wish to view and play the Paramount's Wurlitzer are December 31st. requested to contact any officer On goes the new look! Jerry and Marie Patzold of the Connecticut Valley Theater apply 14 carat gold leaf. Stop tabs are re­ moved from console to be buffed clean. Para­ Organ Society, Inc. mount Theatre. Photo by Michael E. Foley.

9 theatre organ I bombarde A THEATRE ORGAN FEATURE

ROCHESTER,N.Y., THEATERS AND THE by Lloyd E. Klos During the past few years, the writer ~ ... has been doing research in the field of ..I ,, ✓ #/ ,I .... the theater organ, and the lives of the .,,,-- . ..._,' r. :..~," people who played these instruments. As • this research, coupled with countless in­ terviews, unearthed the names of people who had played the theaters in Roches­ ter, N . Y., he began compiling a master listing of these musicians and added to it as time progressed. Following is the result of this effort. A total of 92 peo­ ple was obtained who played the 39 the­ ater organs in Kodak City. Undoubtedly there were others who came, played a short time and left. However, in the opinion of the writer, this list is be­ lieved to be as close to complete as one Seated at the Strand Theater Marr & Colton With her daughter Connie looking on, popular could get, short of traveling about the console is Howell Lewis. He also played the Helen Ankner plays the Palace 4/21 Wurlitzer country and interviewing former theater Rochester organ, and doubled as a church mu­ for a State Teachers Convention in 1941. organists living elsewhere. Perhaps read­ sician. -From Lloyd Klos Collection Achieving much fame as a radio artist over WHAM, she played several theaters, and is still ers of THEATER ORGAN will come up active as a musician. with other names. -From Lloyd Klos Collection 1. ARNETT 2M Kohl Joseph L. Briggs Frank A. Clement Edward C. May Louis Pericola Jalsomine Spadafora 2. CAMEO 2M Kolil Gladys Clark Rose Harloff Fred R. M yers Louis Pericola Elizabeth Scurry 3. CLINTON 2M Kohl Louis Pericola 4. CULVER 2M Marr & Colton Harold W. Geschwind 5. DIXIE 2/ 5 Kilgen Richard D. Betts Edward C. May Louis Pericola 6. EASTMAN 4M Austin Helen Ankner Robert ]. Berentsen Margaret Culp Dezso Von D' Antalffy Harold W. Geschwind Anna Walker Goss John Hammond Rose Harloff Guy Fraser Harrison Herbert H. Johnson Harold Jolles Chester E. Klee Frank Lybolt Louis Pericola Beatric e R yan Mrs. Schyminger Ira F. Shirk A rare picture of the 3-Manual Kohl console which was in the Monroe Theater. Organ was built in Harold Osborn Smith Rochester, one of 13 which were housed in the smaller neighborhood houses. All Rochester Schine Art Taylor Theaters junked their organs in the early 40's. -L. Klos Collection Edwin ]. W erp

october 1967 10 ORGANISTSWHO PLAYEDIN THEM

7. EMPRESS 2M Kohl Rose Harloff Edward C. May R. Franklin Maynard Louis Pericola

8. FAMILY 2M Marr & Colton Herbert Henderson Zana Johnson Carl Melich Louis Pericola Ira F. Shirk

9. FAY'S 2M Kimball Harold W. Geschwind Forrest W. Gregory Edwin ]. W erp

10. GORDON 4M Moller Susanne Appel

Gladys Clark Loew's Rochester 5/24 Marr & Colton as it looked in the 30's. Console was the largest ever built L. Grace Drew by the M & C Company in Warsaw, New York. Now in Portland, Oregon. -Dick Hull Collection Forrest W. Gregory Rose Harloff Clint La Salle Helen Heintz McManus Norman Nairn Harry G. Sullivan Art Taylor

11. GRAND 2/ 5 Wurlitzer Gladys Clark Margaret Culp The 2/7 Wurlitzer console in the Webster The­ George C. Garis ater. A typical neighborhood theater installa­ Harold W. Geschwind tion. Installed in 1927, the organ was used by six players. Organ was sold for parts in 1960, Rosetta Golden and theater was demolished as a hazard in Herbert H. Johnson 1965. -L. Klos Collection Mildred Mansfield Edward C. May Fred Mueller Louis Pericola Grace Sherwood Jerry Vogt, who played the Rochester 5/24 Marr & Colton, po$eS at the WHEC 3/ 11 Wur­ Ira F. Shirk litzer. An excellent musician and teacher, Mr. Vogt also was a top church organist. 12. HIPPODROME 2MWurlitzer -From Lloyd Klos Collection L. Grace Drew Anna U½ilker Goss Stella Moscov 13. HOME OF THE PIPE ORGAN Norman Nairn

14. HUB 2M Marr & Colton J. Gordon Baldwin at the console of the F. P. Harper Rochester-built Kohl organ in the Monroe The­ ater. Baldwin, graduate of the Eastman School Louis Pericola of Music, was a terrific improvisor, and well spoken of by his contemporaries. He was one 15. HUDSON 2M Marr & Colton of the "Console Twins" at the Piccadilly with Clara A. Schafer Hugh Dodge; played the 5/24 Rochester Marr & Colton. In the 1930's, he became musical (Continued on Page 12) director of WHEC, presiding over that station's 3 / 11 Wurlitzer. -Lloyd Klos Collection 11 theatre organ I bombarde Rochester, N.Y., Theatre and Organists Who Played Them 25. PICCADILLY 3/ .13 Wurlitzer Ted Alexander Helen Ankner ]. Gordon Baldwin Richard D. Betts W. Ray Burroughs Gladys Clark Frank A. Clement Jack Courtnay Margaret Culp Hugh]. Dodge Anna Walker Goss Forrest W. Gregory Chester E. Klee Fannie Lampham One of twin 3 / 13 Wurlitzer consoles installed in Piccadilly (now Paramount) in 1928. Fate of other console is unknown. In 1948, theater was renovated, and painters slopped a sickly blue paint on Frank Lybolt the console · which was protected by small picket fence at right side of auditorium. Organ now in private home. -L. Klos Collection Mildred Mansfield (Continu ed from Page 11) 21. LYRIC 2M Marr & Colton Edward C. May 16. JEFFERSON 2M Kohl Margaret Culp Helen Heintz McManus Bob Mills Rosetta Gold en Fred R. Myers Rose Harloff 17. LA.KE 2/ 5 Marr & Colton Norman Nairn Louis Pericola Margaret Culp Clara A. Schafer Louis Pericola Herbert H. Johnson Eda Roman Edward C. May 22. MADISON 2/ 7 Wurlitzer Beatrice Ryan Louis Pericola Frank A. Clement Charles Sharp Ira Shirk Margaret Culp Hugh]. Dodg e Ira F. Shirk 18. LIBERTY 2/ 6 Wurlitzer George C. Garis Harry G. Sullivan Frank A. Clement Harold W. Geschwind Halburton Clough Art Taylor Chester E. Klee Edward H. Graef Alma Lissow Frank K. Hanson Helen Heintz McManus 26. PLAZA 2M Kohl Edward C. May Louis Pericola Lou Pericola Ruth Meyer Ira Shirk Louis Pericola Ira F. Shirk 23. MONROE 3M Kohl 27. PRINCESS 2M Kohl George Bacon Joseph L. Briggs 19. LINCOLN 2/ 3 Wurlitzer ]. Gordon Baldwin Margaret Culp Rose Harloff Westfield S. Brown George ]. Minges Gladys Clark Louis Pericola Louis Pericola Margaret Culp Elizabeth Scurry Rose Harloff Ira F. Shirk 20. LYNDHURST 2M Kohl Chester E. Klee Mrs. F. E. Ballou Edwin ]. W erp Louis Pericola W. Ray Burro ughs Gladys Clark 24. MURRAY 2/ 3 Wurlitzer 28. RKO PALACE 4/ 21 Wurlit- Chauncey L. Gifford Margaret Culp zer Ros e Harloff George C. Garis Helen Ankner Agnes Lain Harold W. Geschwind Helen Craw/ ord Benjamin Loew enthal Rose Harloff Jesse Craw/ ord Blanch McCuen Edgar V. Lehn Edward H. Graef C. Sharp Minor Edith Mansion E. E. Paddock R. Franklin Maynard Tom Grierson Louis Pericola Helen Heintz McManus Ann Leaf Grace Sherwood Stella Moskov Walter B: Patterson Samuel Thornton Louis Pericola Edwin ]. W erp october 1967 12 29. REGENT 3/ 9 H-J Wurlitzer Helen Ankner Joseph L. Briggs W. Ray Burroughs Gladys Clark Frank A. Clement Margaret Culp L. Grace Drew Anna Walker Goss Forrest W. Gregory Tom Grierson Nellie Hillhouse Emily Karnes Chester E. Klee Edward C. May Stella Moscov Louis Pericola Beatrice Ryan Harold Osborn Smith

30. RIALTO lM Marr & Colton R. Franklin Maynard

31. RIVIERA 3/ 11 Marr & Colton RKO Palace 4/21 Wurlitzer as it looked when regularly used. Organ was installed in 1928. Frank A. Clement -L. Klos Collection Halburton Clough 3 5. STRAND 4M Marr & Colton 36. SUN 2M Kohl Hugh J. Dodge Gladys Clark Louis Pericola Harold W. Geschwind Frank A. Clement THURSTON 2M Wurlitzer Edward H. Graef 37. Margaret Culp George C. Garis Tom Grierson Hugh J. Dodge Anna Walker Goss Rose Harloff L. Grace Drew Alma Lissow Edward C. May Harold W. Geschwind Helen Heintz McManus Ruth Meyer Rosetta Golden Louis Pericola Louis Pericola Forrest W. Gregory Tom Grierson 38. VICTORIA 4'M Moller 32. ROCHESTER 5 / 24 Marr & Rose Harloff (from Gordon Theater) Colton Nellie Hillhouse Grace Spies George Bacon Howell Lewis May Spies ]. Gordon Baldwin Alma Lissow Robert]. Berentsen 39. WEBSTER 2/ 7 Wurlitzer Maurice Cook R. Franklin Maynard Frank A. Clement Helen Crawford Louis Pericola Margaret Culp Jesse Craw/ ord Mrs. Schyminger Herbert H. Johnson Forrest W. Gregory Grace Sherwood Fred Myers Carl Halbert Ira F. Shirk Louis Pericola Dick Hull Harry G. Sullivan Elizabeth Scurry Howell Lewis Frank Lybolt Con Ma/fie C. Sharp Minor Louis Pericola Harry G. Sullivan Earl Tobias Jerry Vogt

33. STALEY 2M Kohl Harold Geschwind Edward C. May Helen Heintz McManus

34. STATE 2/ 6 Wurlitzer Frank A. Clement Edward H. Graef F. R. Harper Edward C. May R. Franklin Maynard Helen Heintz McManus George C. Garis at the console of the Strand Theater Morr & Colton. He also played the Madison, Louis Pericola Murray and Thruston organs, playing up to the final days of the· theater organ in Rochester. Ira F. Shirk -From Lloyd Klos Collection

13 theatre organ I bombarde A MONSTER IN THE HOUSE!

By BEULAH McNEILL MARTIN MY HUSBAND, Marion, was first introduced to theatre organs in the early 30's when a 3/10 Wurlitzer Spe­ cial was installed in Duke University's School of Theatre Operation's 2,000 seat house-Quadrangle Pictures. Bob Van Camp was the first Quadrangle organist, to be followed by Marion. Years later, hearing Bob at the console of the At­ lanta Fox's Mighty Moller, Marion de­ solutely nothing there but junk!" When Stripped down console of Martin Moller cided that he could not rest until he had asked by the janitor which side he want­ a theatre organ of his own, and a Moller ed to see, Marion replied: "Both". The it must be. I was not at all sold on the janitor came back with., "Ain't nothing idea until shown many California home on this side. The drums is all on t' other installations by Stu Green and Tiny side ... " James last summer. Then I saw that it Opening a door into a tiny triangular­ could be done. shaped closet, they climbed a 50-foot Early in 1966, we were able to secure ladder, up through a small trap door and the console of the Fort Wayne Palace's came out in a large empty room. Just as 3/21 Moller, with hopes and promises Marion decided he was right, the janitor for the rest of this instrument. However, opened another door disclosing an array a summer spent at the University of of nine ranks of pipes in flawless condi­ California in Berkeley prevented us from tion : 16' Tibia Clausa; 16' Tibia Plena; doing anything about it until the fall of 8' French Horn; 16' Stentophone; 8' '66, only to find that in the meantime Concert Flute; 16' Contra Fagotta; 4' the instrument had been so badly van­ Harmonic Flute; a beautiful Marimba dalized that what was left was nothing Harp; and Orchestra Bells. Five other but junk. Now the question arose as to ranks of pipes had been mostly removed how and where to find another Moller. by vandals or organ builders at an earlier On the advice of Clay Holbrook, let­ ters were sent to 125 theatres in Penn­ Six rank solo chest as set up in Martin Carport, sylvania, New York, New Jersey, and showing Harmonic Tuba, Gross Flute, Major Violin, English Horn, French Trumpet, and Maryland that had large Moller instru­ Contra Fagotta. ments. Ninety of these were answered, twenty-three were returned by the postal date. However, their chests and some department indicating that these theatres pipes remained. They were 8' Corno­ were demolished and gone. Only three pean, 8' Gross Gamba, 8' Gamba Cel­ of the theatres still had their organs and este, 8' V.D.O., and 8' Viol Celete, and none wanted to sell. Then came a letter 8' Mezzo Vox Humana. Marion thought, stating: "The organ is gone, but a few "If there's nothing up here, what must pipes, mostly junk, are still in the loft." the other side contain?" Playing a hunch that there might be Going around the balcony, into an­ more here than met the manager's eye, other similar closest and up another lad­ Marion asked for permission to visit the der, but this time a bit steeper, they theatre look the situation over. The finally emerged into a very small room house manager arranged for the jani­ where the janitor informed him: "This tor to show him through the "dusty or­ here side is loaded!" Marion realized just gan lofts", assuring him: "there is ab- Loew's 83rd, St. Theatre at 83rd and Broadway, how right he was after being forced to october 1967 14 OR ANOTHER MIGHTYMO

in New York theatres at this time. All were 3/ 32's with 157 stop keys. They were installed in the 83rd Street, Alham­ bra, Astoria, Spooner, and Rio Theatres. This organ was used for only two years until outmoded by the "talkies ". Even today the 83rd Street is a beau­ tiful house of over 3,000 seats. However, the theatre is now in a bad district and so was given a face lifting a few years Marion Martin in the midst of pipes. ago by having most of its elegance re­ NO PROBLEM was involved in nego- moved. Its lovely crystal chandeliers, tiating for the purchase of the 32 paintings, and furniture were bought by rank monster. Now the real problem be­ New York's Hotel Americana and can gan, that of getting the beast out of the now by seen there. theatre in New York and moved co Marion cook three 17-year-old boys co Whiteville, North Carolina, a distance of New York with him and the four of some 700 miles. Moller really made them worked six nights removing the some big ones, and used nothing small organ. This was made more difficult by in so doing. Moller used only the finest the face that the house was in operation, materials in these instruments, and did and they had to work when the theatre not sacrifice quality for space. This was was not running. Everything except the paying off for us forty years lacer. nine largest chests had co be let down This was Opus #43 73, December, the 2'xl ½ ' trap doors in an Army bar­ 1925, and installed in Loew's 83rd Street racks bag, three stories co one of the New York Theatre . This was one of five grand tier boxes, then over the edge to identical instruments installed by Loew's the balcony, where it had co be carried around the balcony and down a flight 16' Violins on floor of new home. of steps co the stage, to be packed and move back over the trap door in order scored until the truck came co gee it. that the chamber door might be opened. There were outside chamber doors After colliding with a large thunder which opened right out into space, four sheet, which to me, waiting in the au­ stories up over the sidewalk. Marion felt dience, sounded like the end of the chat there was just coo much danger of world, Marion saw twenty ranks of beau­ someone getting hurt for him co try co tiful pipes stretching as far as he could use them. To make matters worse, the see. They were : 8' Kinura, 8' Minor Management, trying co be most helpful, Vox Humana, 8' Clarinet, 16' Tuba Pro­ had had these doors ( sealed for 40 years) funda, 16' French Trumpet, 8' English opened for him before he and the crew Horn, 16' Violin, 16' Stopped Bourdon, arrived and in so doing tore all the 8' Orchestral Violin, 8' Orchestral Viol hinges but one off the door on the 83rd Celeste, 8' Major Vox Humana, 8' Gross Street side. So there it hung, four stories Flute, 8' Gemshorn, 8' Quintadena, 8' up in the air, 600-pounds of steel door Dopple Flute, 8' Clarabella, 8' Flute held by just one rusty hinge, ready to Celeste, 8' Major Violin, 16' Open Dia­ crash down on the sidewalk or on top of pason, 8' Harmonic Flute, 61 note metal someone 's car. Much too dangerous for harp, chimes, xylophone, and a cerrif ic Five rank chest being lowered out 4th floor chem co couch! door over 83rd St. Note broken hinges on collection of goodies on the coy counter. door. (Continued on Next Page)

15 theatre organ I bombarde A MONSTER OR seems even more unusual when you real­ yelling, "Oh! Look at the rockets!" ANOTHER MIGHTY MO ize that a regular 39-bar Degan Glocken­ ( English horns) (Continued ) spiel and Orchestra Bell unit was located DRIVING to New York by car made in the other chamber. I really think the crew must have it impossible to take the necessary We have also been very puzzled as to made some kind of organ removal rec­ boxes and packing that were needed why some vandal had most carefully re­ ord-32 ranks and 6 tuned percussions co properly pack the pipes for mov­ moved all the bars form the xylophones, in six nights-all done by one man and ing, so each metal pipe was wrapped leaving the chrome resonators, retaining three boys who had never seen a pipe with newspaper and masking tape screws and action intact. Just one 65- organ until Marion took them to Radio and packed inside one of the many large pound brass tubular bell was missing City the first afternoon they were in wooden pipes in lieu of packing cases. from the peal of tower chimes, leaving New York. Professional riggers were Only the 16' Violin and Contra Fagotta the regular organ chimes intact, thank called in to get the nine chests and reser­ were too large and had to be placed goodness. voirs out. This proved to be quite a loose in the truck. To our amazement, Try as they would, the boys could not task even for them. only one pipe was damaged and that not find the three bird whistles listed in Mr. Moller, it seems, never could be per­ beyond repair. Moller's blueprints, and ~hey supposed suaded to go to a full unit organ on their Living in a large two-story colonial that they had been taken by the vandals. big ones, and even the Atlanta Fox has home, we found no problem finding When they were removing the last res­ a straight division. So not to be outdone, space for installation of the organ. Hav­ ervoir on the Main side-there they the 83rd Street had eight unit chests and ing obtained the original inst a 11at ion were, safe and sound, attached, of all two straight. These contained the: blueprints from the factory long before places, to the side of the 6'x4' reservoir. V.D.O,. Celeste, Concert Flute, Mezzo undertaking to remove the instrument, By the fifth night, the removal crew Vox Humana, 4' Harmonic Flute on the we thought we had prepared the new began to agree with the elderly night Solo side, and Flute Celeste, Dopple chambers in advance so that the organ watchman, who was never heard to say Flute, 8' Harmonic Flute and Clarabella could be put in place at once. However, anything before, but muttered as he on the Main side. we found that in many instances Mr. made his rounds back stage where the It was decided to leave the offset chest Moller's organ and his blueprints did organ was beginning to mount upward and huge wooden pipes of the 16' Dia­ not agree. Results-renuvation of the toward the grid, "Too mucha stuffa! Too pason, 16' Tibia Plena and the bottom chambers is now necessary before the damma mucha stuff a!" six notes of the enormous 16' Tuba Pro­ organ can be installed. This will be Ben Hall and Marion wondered what funda, which were made of wood. It made much more difficult now because had happened to the large console? Miles would require the riggers to get them everything is full of organ. of cable were traced into what, at one out, and at $35.00 a lowering, this was We hope to use 21 of the 32 ranks. time, was a very large orchestra pit. just too much. Ben Hall nearly cried as The big difficulty for us now is trying However, no amount of pulling could he saw the beautiful tubas left. Marion to decide which ranks to use and which budge it. The pit was many years ago offered to give them to him for his own to leave out. This is made more com­ filled with concrete to provide four home installation, but the offer was plicated by the fact that a rank that we more rows of seats for patrons. We sup­ quickly refused when told he would have desperately want to use is always on a pose the console must repose there under chest Marion does not wish to use, and to remove them at his own expense. tons of concrete. The door from the a chest that had a vacant space where MARION WAS amazed to be offered musicians' room had been bricked up. the rank will fit is always on the wrong pressure. ( The organ uses both and a large sum for the unusual metal It was all Marion could do to keep Ben 7" 12" wind.) Time will work all of this harp by a New York organ fan. This and the boys from attackin_g the pit wall out. Right now, we are both busy, along strange instrument of 61 chrome Degan with a fire axe. They assured him that with all the neighbors, cleaning and pol­ just one brick away lay the largest and bars, has tuneable resonators which look ishing the ½" of New York dirt and most beautiful console ever built. like tibia pipes. Delicate piano-type ac­ grime off everything. At the present tion causes a felt piano-like hammer to A 35-foot tractor-trailer truck was time , we have 19 ranks clean and set hit these bars for a gorgeous harp-like used to bring the 14,000-pound monster up. This time we are going to make sound. A pneumatic causes a gear-shift home. Loading took eight hours, as each sure everything fits before we alter the like arrangement to allow small metal piece had to be carried up thirteen steps chambers. rods to move in front of the hammers. from the stage level to the street, out the Yes all our friends think we have The hammer shaft then strikes the rod, stage door ( which opened on the side of lost o~r minds, but the Martin's Mighty which in turn hks the bar for a very the building away from the street), into Mo has become the biggest tourist at­ traction in Eastern North Carolina, next nice Orchestra Bell effect. This works an alley, around the theatre for half a to the Battleship North Carolina. Some on the top four octaves. Mounted on the block, and finally out to the truck on day before too long it will play again, top three octaves are electrical clappers 83rd Street. While this was going on, and ... who knows, it might even sound ( like door-bell action) which gives an all work came to a halt in a large four­ like its big sister in the Atlantic Fox. effect of reiterating bells sounding much story school building across the street, Specifications of the organ in both like saucer bells. This odd instrument while the kids hung out the windows locations will be found on page 43. october 1967 16 HARMONICS and ORGAN PIPES rained in this article, as well as other by combining the fundamental tone and points of view well known to students all the harmonics used with it. by DAN BARTON, Organ Builder of sound in organs. Flue pipes are more properly called Illustrated by the Author I give this explanation to prevent a labial pipes as referring to the lips. FOREWORD controversy with a reader who may be Reed pipes are more properly called Knowledge of musical acoustics, espe­ ac9uainted with some theory differing lingual pipes, referring to the tongue. cially pertaining to harmonics, is nearly w1th the one described in the article here presented . Organ pipe talk can be very The upper part of organ pipes is called all based on theory. The definition of body, tubes and resonators. theory is, "A more or less plausible or confusing to one who is not fully ac­ . In ~eferring to the number of sets of scientifically accepted general principle quainted with the subject. Some parts pi,pes rn an organ, they are designated as offered to explain phenomena, conjec­ are called by different names and in some ranks of pipes, as an organ consisting of ture or assumption without proof ." In instances different parts are designated ten ranks. In referring to one set of other words, someone 's opinion. by the same name. To make it clear to pipes, it is designated as a stop as a Many years ago I made a study of har­ those not fully conversant with organ violin stop or a flute stop. ' monics. I was curious to know what hap ­ pipe talk, I give a few examples. Half-length pipes are called stopped pens to the wind in its journey from the _ Harmo~ics - also called upper par­ pipes if made of wood. If made of metal blower to the time it came flowing out tials, partials, overtones and mutations. they are called covered pipes. of an organ chamber as music. I studied Fundamental tone-also called prime Mixtures and compound stops, which all available books on the subject and tone, ground tone, unison tone. It is the are pipes tuned and voiced to imitate soon found out that the definition given loudest, most powerful and most asser­ harmonics and used in classic organs, are above was indeed correct. The explana­ tive tone by which the pitch of the whole the same. tions in most cases were just someone's compound tone is judged. Pure organ The tube which connects the pipe to opinion. Authors who certainly knew tone is one having no audible harmon­ every phase of organ construction and ics. Compound organ tone is one created (Continued on Page 40) operation lapsed into generalities when the subject of harmonics was attempted. Some authors made statements that con­ If you can read English tradicted other authors . In one book it seemed to me that the author contradict­ you can assemble a Schober Organ ed himself. There was one exception, Aristide Ca­ and be a musical participant! vaille-Coll, the famous French organ Isn't it time you became a musical partici­ pant, rather than just a listener? The organ builder, who was also a great student of is the instrument adults learn to play, be­ musical acoustics. He tried for facts as cause they play so well with so little effort. well as opinions. He invented apparatus And the best way to own an organ is to amplify and measure sound waves. It to assemble your own from Schober's 100 percent complete kits, with the firm, step­ is reported he made wood stops, both by-step guidance of Schober's famous open and stopped, with glass walls and crystal-clear, nontechnical instructions had glass resonators made for reed pipes . that thousands of entirely untechnical Cavaille-Coll played these stops with people have followed successfully. If you want to play everything from smoke to help him find the answers. Ca­ Bach to Cole Porter, you can choose the vaille-Coll was the first to explode the Recital Organ (right), physically and long held theory of the air forming an tonally so like a fine pipe organ that many air-reed which vibrated directly in and people can't tell the difference. Every­ thing you need (if you use your own hi-fi out of the mouth of the pipe. or stereo system for the sound) costs only George Ashdown Audsley, of Bloom­ $1725. You can pay as you build, to field, N. J., was also a great student of spread the expenditure, and you couldn't organ lore. To gain authentic informa­ buy the equivalent elsewhere for less than FREEINFORMATION AND DEMONSTRATION RECORDING twice that price. Or you may choose Send today for your free copy of Schober's 16- tion for a book he went to France where another Schober Organ model. They start page, full color booklet, plus 7" free recording. he worked with Cavaille-Coll a~d ob­ at $645. Schober's enjoyable self-teaching r------·------.- --- -. tained_from him much information, part courses give you musical results irnrnedi- I ately, and the more you play the better I TheSchober Organ Corp., Dept. T0-4 of whteh was facts as well as theory . Mr . 1 you get. 1 43 West 61st Street, New York, N. Y. 10023 Audsley was the author of "The Art of 1 Over 50% of Schober Organ owners 1 never handled an electronic job before D Please send me Schober Organ Catalog and Organ Building " and "The Organ of the I free 7-inch "sample" record. I Twentieth Century. " He included what and didn't play a note, yet assembled I □ Enclosed please find $1.00 for 12-inch I he had learned from Cavaille-Coll as well - some of the best organs ever designed I L.P. record of Schober Organ music. I and get a daily thrill from making their as his own deductions in his books. own music. Isn't it time for you to take I NAME ······· ······························ ······ ·········· ······· I To me Mr. Audsley's explanation of ~his cost-saving road to greater musical I ADDRESS ...... I musical acoustics seemed to be the most pleasure-:-and enjoy the satisfaction of I doing it yourself? I CITY ...... STATE ...... ZIP NO ...... logical. Many of his deductions are con------~------~--J 17 theatre organ I bombarde WILLIAM HARRISON, orgamst at HOW TO PLAY the Aldine Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware, was born in England, got his THE CINEMA ORGAN musical education there and was pianist by George Tootell on several steamship lines before joining PART FOUR the Stanley Theatre chain. He special­ izes in solos, slide novelties and arrang­ Tone Coloring. A keen and artistic ing effective organ duets with the or­ sense of tone coloring is not merely an chestra. advantage, it is a necessity; the player can give a most significant meaning to DICK LEIBER T'S band was such a scene, which might otherwise appear a success on Washington's Arlington insignificant, through the tone coloring Roof, that hundreds were turned which he employs. This not only means away opening night. Dick's Lido using his imagination tO good effect, Band played an hour a week over but also a facile manipulation of st0ps­ the air during the winter and was and I consider this to be quite as im­ N""t.J"GGETS used as a special feature at the Pal­ portant as the acquisition of good tech­ fror.n. the ace and Loew's Century theatres in nique. Tone colors will change ( as the Baltimore. Dick's "organlude" is a music also will change) according to the GOI ,D'EN" D.A"Y"S regular feature on the program, and changes exhibited in the picture; but he feels he will soon be considered they will also change according to the part of the standard equipment such music itself, and in this, a knowledge of Prospected by LLOYD E. KLOS as velvet curtains, air cooling sys­ orchestration and of orchestral scores is Con tin u ing along the trails in the tem or the exit doors. essential to the organist. spring of 1927, accompanied by our Vulgarity. With such knowledge, no faithful Burro, Jason, we have come The National Theatre in Boston's South End has installed one of the best organist could commit such vulgarities across the following items in Jacob 's as the playing of a clarinet solo in Web­ equipped theatre organs to be found in Monthly magazine: er's "Oberon" Overturn on a trumpet Chicago's newest theatre, the Admiral, New England, a Robert Morton, said to st0p; the beautiful oboe solo in "Fin­ has a unique distinction-it has the first be the first of its kind in Boston. Or­ landia" on a piccolo; the opening violin Marr and Colton within the corporate ganists are JOE REISMAN and TONY passages of "A Midsummer Night's limits of the city. Organist in the north ANGELO. Dream" Overture played upon 8 ft. side house is CORNELIUS MAFFIE, the GOLD DUST: BEATRICE RY AN, flutes; or the dainty "Pizzicato" from "Singing Organist". This will be the first Delibes' "Sylvia" played upon a thick of many M & C's in the Windy City be­ associate organist in Rochesters Eastman Theatre , is spending a year of study in diapason. And yet, the writer has actual­ cause the former Wurlitzer representa­ ly heard these crimes committed! Or­ Paris with renowned organist MARCEL tive is now the M & C agent. Organist ganists who commit such flagrant vul­ HENRY F. PARKS does much of the DUPRE ... STU ART BARRIE plays garities either possess no imagination M & C demonstration work. the Kilgen in the Grand Central Theatre whatever, or are too lazy to use their Adv.: /(Every progressive organist in Chicago ... AL CARNEY wowing brains, and for such, no condemnation should have this complete course in trick them over WHT in Chicago1 while LEO can be too severe. 11 11 and imitation playing. Contains de­ TERRY plays at the nearby Piccadilly Piano-Conductor Parts. When playing tailed instruction for producing dog­ ... ARTHUR L. UTT presides over the a piece originally composed for orch­ bark, snore, rooster crow, RR train, bag­ Kilgen in the New Grand Central Thea­ estra, the organist should know the score, pipes , banjo and over twenty other tre in St. Louis ... In Washing ton , or play from a piano-conductor copy, effects indispensable to the motion pic­ PEARL HAUER is at the York,· MIL­ which will, as a rule indicate clearly all ture orf!.anist. 'THEATRE ORGAN TON DAVIS at the Metropolitan ; GER­ solo passages and general orchestral ef­ SECRETS' Price, $2.00. C. ROY CAR­ fects. The organist will also be well ad­ TER , Organist , Los Angeles, California. TRUDE KREISELMAN at the Rialto; MADELYN HALL at the Empress; vised tO avoid, on the one hand, main­ OLIVER WALLACE, organist at ALEX AARONS at the Earle; NELL taining one t0nal effect for too long a period, producing monotony; and, on Seattle's Fifth A venue Theatre, has PAXTON broadcasts from the Audi­ the other hand, a too frequent change, introduced a new device. Already torium; MARTHA LEE at the Savoy; credited with the introduction of producing a scrappy and restless effect; MARY HORN at the Princess; MARI­ the pipe organ to the movie theatre, his changes in music and t0ne colors will his new idea involves a midget con­ BEL LINDSEY at the Ambassador; be governed by the changes in the photo­ sole which may be used on the stage CECELIA O'DEA at the Central; RUTH play, and in that, he must use imagina­ and moved about at will. He de­ FARMER at the Takoma; HAROLD tion and judgment. clares that the new device brings PEASE at the Colony ... GEORGE A very important matter is that of

out all the volume, range and tone EMMONS at the Tivoli in Frederick 1 altering or adapting passages tO suit the of the giant Wurlitzers. Md . ... TOM EV ANS is regular or­ organ. It will be appropriate at this tO The Milwaukee Journal dedicated its ganist in the Strand 1 Scranton , Pa. ... point to draw attention the fact that new studio organ, March 31. A Wur­ JETT A MILLHOLLAND is now at the comparatively little actual organ music litzer, it was opened by Chicago's AM­ new Broadway Theatre, Charlotte , N.C. is suitable for the cinema; apart from BROSE LARSON over WHAD , the ... HARRY SULLIVAN at the Strand 1s selections ( independent of the films) , newspaper 's own radio station. GLADYS only a small percentage of music com­ Marr & Colton , Rochester 1 N.Y. KRUEGER, former organist in the Cry­ posed expressly for the organ is of any stal Theatre in Burlington , Wisconsin , Back to the shack until next time. use in film accompaniment. has been appointed staff organist. Lloyd (and Jason, the burro) (Continued on Page 32)

october 7967 18 The "visible toy counter additive" ... PROJECTFOR A RAINY DAY A 'TOY COUNTERPOSITIVE'

DIDyou ever hear of an organ with caught him at an opportune moment. a "toy counter positiv?" A positiv, He was holding a huge slide whistle in you'll recall, is either a small portable his hand. organ of 4' pitch (also "portativ") or a "John Ledwon just brought this over set of treble pipes installed in full view -and asked me how he could blow it The new gimmcik occupies a commanding spot of the listener, usually on a shelf located from his console." between Harvey's Main and Solo chambers. at a distance from the main body of (Continued on Next Page) Here the "party favor" is uncoiling skyward. pipework. It is useful mainly for anti­ phonal music where "stereo" effects are desired. If the truth be known, the sound is often similar to that of an air calliope . But a positiv (pronounced "Posi-ceef") is HAS EVERYTHING the kind of luxury which gives a concert organ class, despite its limited use. The posiciv idea often manifested it­ self among theatre organ builders, but to a limited degree. We recall that Dan Barron experimented with orchestra bells spread around the walls of a theatre- 1o ng before he developed the Barron organ. And Talley's Theatre in Los An­ geles, an early house equipped with a huge straight organ, had such goodies as chimes spaced at even intervals ~round the inside of its shoe-box auditorium. And perhaps the rare theatre echo organ is a bow to the "ruckpositives" of the early German organs . But the idea never took in a big way-and, probably, just as well. So, time marched on to the era when theatre organs became parlor pets, al­ though most of chem only feigned tame­ ness in their new environments. Owners vied with one another for outlandish gadgets with which co festoon their prizes. For example, ATOE ex-prexy Judd Walton has concealed his bird • Beautiful Hand-Made Consoles. whistle effect within an imitation bird ( the kind that once decorated Nellie 's • Two, Three and Four-Manual Models. hat, in case anyone recalls that ancient • Electric Toy Counters ( "Band Box" patented) . dichyramb). The ensemble is mounted in a cage which is visible to chamber visi­ • Vibes, Glocks & Chimes for all organs. tors. • Fully transistorized - 5-yr. warranty. Bue most organ owners discourage • Independent oscillators for each key of each manual. chamber visits for many good reasons which we'll not go into at this time. • Authentic theatre pipe voicing. Bue back to positivs. • Available Custom-Built or in kits. T allstarted after we published an • Pay as you go - play as you bui Id. I article on how to build a "rain effect." So far, no one has reported building one from our specification, but how many of us followed up even a few of those won­ &(~ derful construction projects described in Since 1947 Robert L. Eby the pages of "Popular Mechanics" over ORGANS Founder the past half century! It's still fascinat­ A Division of Electronic Organ Arts, Inc. ing just to read about them. So, we turned co our "rain" man , 1372 EAST WALNUT STREET Harvey Heck, for a plan for something PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91106 useful, amusing, visual and novel. We

19 theatre organ I bombarde TOY COUNTER POSITIVE was the shining slide whistle and the coward its victim while unleashing a rau­ (Continued from Previous Page) long rod which guided it up and down cous bleat. Harvey's bleats while shoot­ its chromatic glide. Harvey looked real ing for the ceiling. "Complete with the 'smear' effect?" smug as he sat down at the 4-deck con­ The first step is co decide what kind "Yup-both upward and back down sole and started Beethoven's "Fifth"­ of honks are desired. The next is to ob­ -a double smear." from the beginning. J use a few measures tain the "honkers." Music scores are a "How about adding a few extra along he swung out a little shelf from good source of such novel instruments as goodies-maybe a goose honk, or a beneath the left side jamb (about like slide whistles and cow bells. Get a good moose call-or perhaps a set of clacking Conn's theatre trap switch shelf, for the quality whistle, the orchestral variety false teeth. J use for the visual gag? " benefit of your transistor tooters). There which were once part of a trap drum­ "Don 't rush me!" were some mother-of-pearl buttons which mer's stock in trade (remember Paul Months went by and then one day we Harv pushed for a number of Beethoven's Whiteman 's "Whispering?"). It'll cost got a call from Harvey. accords. The effect was electrifying. A around five dollars. That's the most ex­ "Jr's finished." vivace Goose call! A presto Jaybird call! pensive single "instrument." Sporting "What's finished?" An obviously corn-fed Crow "caw!" The goods stores provide crow, goose and tinkle of tiny temple bells and then the moose calls, plus a few ocher irresistible piece-de-resistance-an andante rising items intended for lung power. Oriental "whooooooosh" of a slide whistle which novelty shops provide all sizes and suddenly reversed i cs elf, started back shapes of temple bells. A set of brass downward with a "hsoooooooow" for a wind chimes would make a perfect cym­ few measures and then continued its up­ belstern ! ward climb to the final majestic note. For his chest and "glissando motor," Harvey had been faithful to Beethoven Harvey used sections of discarded wooden but we were not convinced that Ludwig pipes, mainly because they were handy. would have approved: In fact, there was The wooden boxes may be cut from any something arresting ... soft wood and should be glued to make The word stuck in our craw. The un­ them airtight. Note that the glissando mistakable sound of a policeman's whis­ motor is mounted directly on top of the tle rose to a high-pitched scream and chest, placed so as to leave an inch or trailed off. Yes, it all came from the little more to mount the ocher honkers and "visible coy counter additive." It was at tinklers in front of it. chis point that we decided that the clumsy handle would have to go. The THEonly tricky action is the "alter- "positiv" angle evolved shortly there­ . nator" for the slide whistle. All the after. other effects are no more than standard electro-pneumatic pipe actions but the Harvey Heck, researcher in weird and different A G A I N , like the rain effect, this slide whistle action is actually two ac­ pipe organ effects, puts the finishing touches on another "positive." He has just mounted the ..l.1 addition is for the organ that "has tions, one for each direction. And they slide whistle . Other noisemakers await mount­ everything" but which could use a force­ must be rigged in such a way that both ing. ful conversation piece. In fact, it's guar­ don't operate at once. One method would anteed to drown out all conversation. be to use a rocker switch (single pole, "That thing we were talking about And there's no reason it couldn't be double throw, center off) at the console. just past Whitsuntide- the visible coy moun red in the chamber, if desired. It should be spring-loaded for "off posi­ counter additive." However, it's fun to watch the slide tion normal." Our sketch suggests two We jumped in the bug and made whistle slither back and forth-and for doorbell-type pushbuttons. tracks for Harvey 's. There he sat in an a topper Harvey added a party favor, the The diagram supplies most details of easy chair just three feet from the con­ kind which when blown into uncoils (Continued on Next Page) sole that Eddie Dunstedter once played in the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis. He merely looked upward coward a spot be­ tween his twin chamber grilles. There it stood atop the bookcase-a tiny chest with a row of assorted tubes stuck in it. But dominating the whole

The construction diagram at right was drawn -11• by Lee Haggart, a man of considerable whimsy with his pen. He appends the following notes, which will probably be intelligible to those familiar with blueprint jargon: 1. Section view magnet is shown in "operated" position, and "F" pneumatic is "ON." 2. Z-Z indicates a view through the pouch rail (primary) channel board in "full view." 3. In "full view" from left to right on pouch 11 11 rail are four 0 pneumatics on to "ON" pneu­ • I-< I I .,.,,__•~/ I I¼_,.:,/ •1 matics. !:' .-...... :HE(. 1 4. Slide whistle action: wired so "D" button - - - lJ ~.fN~~r-:-1

slides plunger left for downward glissando; the '->-- , H-:)f 6-WIRE-- c ,-,,,..- '-RH-l!'t-N

"U" button sends plunger right for an upward POW ER SUt'1''.~. glissando. -G . Bandini

october 1967 20 TOY COUNTER POSITIVE would be ashamed to show my mother/" (Continued from Page 20) How many directors of today could say construction. If the moving plunger rn the same thing? the slide whistle motor fails to move * * * smoothly inside its wooden tube, lubri­ WOODLAND HILLS, California is cate it with graphite. an area of rolling hills about 3 5 miles The positiv is winded at ten inches from Los Angeles . Here the motion pic­ and is fed through a one-inch conductor. ture industry maintains an elaborate, A sound length of that discarded one­ luxurious estate for retired workers. inch garden hose should do the trick. With the magnificent home is a superb The cable need consist of one conductor hospital and rest center . Everything at for each of the single-tone effects and the home is free. two for the slide whistle-plus a return * * * for all. Better include a couple of spares SILENT screen personalities we visit- because it's easier to switch over to a ~ DIRECTED BY ed with in Woodland Hills included spare than trace an entire cable for _,....,..,II\. Y LE W. NA SH Ethel Grandin .. . Dorothy Devore, who a flaw once it's installed. charmed millions with her comedy roles in the 20s, is mending from a serious HA VE YOU ever wondered what illness . . . Dot Farley, famed for her "The Covered Wagon " of 1923 would comedy roles with Earle Foxe, lives at look like in wide screen and living color? the home ... Betty Blythe, siren of the A very close approximation of TCW of early silents, lives in a beautiful cottage the silent era is "The Way West " which overlooking the lake. scars Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas , * * * Richard Widmark. The adventures of a A REAL old-fashioned silent wagon train of 1843 headed for Oregon movie is now being made in Holly­ from Missouri is loaded with action and wood. Marty Ingels is working on magnificent scenery and caravans screech­ a picture, called "The Silent Treat­ ing across the cinema horizon. The 1967 ment." It will he virtually a mod­ product is much superior to the old ern-day version of the 1897 - 1927 .1-.... Paramount epic-but outdoor adventure pictures which had titles and screen Another view of the "positiv." The Moose Coll, prologues explaining what was to Police Siren, Temple Bells (Cymbelstern?) and is ever greater to a 12-year-old than an Crow Call add immeasurably to the beauty of aging adult. come. The last major non - talking -say, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." * * * film was Chaplin's "City Lights" of JACKIE COOGAN was a greater 193 I. It will he interesting to see if The small size of the kind and electri­ draw in 1923 than some stars of today's film makers can use 40 years cal connections makes locating the show­ today. He signed with the old Metro of cinema improvements and experi­ piece a simple matter of selecting the company for 60 per cent of the pic­ ence and produce a better silent film place where it will be most effective ture's profits. than the Vidors, Kings, Browns and from both visual and sound perspectives. * * * the De Milles of the '20s. Probably the best place is bigµ on the SOJIN, with his spike-tipped mous­ * * * wall, preferably with a beam of light tache and mysterious slant-eyed look, was HORROR films have been around shining on it. the greatest arch villain ever to haunt since the first projector started flooding Since completing his own pos1t1v, the movies. He began scaring American a white sheet with pictures that moved . Harvey has built several more, mostly movie audiences in 1923 in "The Thief Now author Carlos Clarens has written for friends. One is now on public dis­ of Bagdad " in which Douglas Fairbanks "An Illustrated History of the Horror play in the "Pizza Joynt" at Hayward, was the hero. Sojin died in 1954 in his Film" (Putnam) that is worthy reading. California, where it augments the 3-12 native Japan. His son lives and works in The 256-page book covers the horror, Wurlitzer played by Bill Langford . TV in Hollywood. mystery, weird, fantastic, supernatural To encourage prospective builders, * * * and science-fiction films. Excellent for Harvey is considering making a demo HENRY KING has been directin i reference and a movie researcher. cape with his very own version of the and acting in films 50 years. The soft * * * "Fifth " of Beethoven. He recently com­ voiced Virginia born director created CONTRARY co legend and publicity pleted his own "fifth"- positiv, chat is. screen epics in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and pap, great stars and featured players in 60s. No director of the silent era has the silents did work in serials. Some lasted as long as Kin g in directing virtu­ players who did included: Lionel Barry­ ally every type of film made. more, Clara Kimball Young, Billie Burke, KING is proud of having first Doris Kenyon , Gertrude Astor, Priscilla Have YOU saved a discovered Gary Cooper, Tyrone Dean, Milton Sills, Cullen Landis, An­ Power, Ernest Torrence and Ronald tonio Moreno, Lon Chaney, Boris Kar­ Colman. loff, Laura La Plante, Esther Ralston, mighty Wurlitzer lately? * * * Constance Bennett and Jean Arthur. WHAT pictures does King think were * * * best? He 's proud of State Fair with Will THE YEAR 1921 saw the first talk­ Rogers , Stella Dallas (1925 ), Wilson , ing-singing film shown on Broadway in Try it TODAY! Song of Bernadette , Twel ve O'Clock New York. "Dream Street" was shown High and Love Is a Many Splendored in April at the Central theatre. Research­ Thing. But King is proudest of all of the e1s note that Ralph Graves sang a song facts: rrI never made a picture that I in it but sync was rather ragged.

21 theatre organ I bombarde CONVENTION ECHOES • • •

19 Detroit Revisited 67

. '- fort Hotel. floor P,c.._ meeting top At b oa rd

BAS-RELIEF"P -= . ,. so convin . IPEWORK" • m . c,ng that '" the F loi~ic Lowe// Ayo,:ne cov/d o/mos~~ lob~y Was L y 3- 11 Mo// Was playin mog1ne the owe// p/o er Was e 9 on the on th . Yed i11st bef manoting fr FoJC e b,g beast i hore Koy McAb om them. n t e auditori11m. ee let loose

"THEATRE ORGAN." EDITOR George Thompson LEE ERWIN-STU GREEN I bb tries his hand at the Fox 4-36 Wurli. "This . . ' o y Redford Theatre even makes me forget Stu Green," chortles during mtermission. George.

FIRST ATOE EDITOR await the st -Dr. Mel and M atre. Mel art of a concert ot th S rs. Doner CHEESEAND azine, the ';,Ta_sb_theeditor of ATO;, ef~ote The- ~races the I BREEZE-This . ' •o." s irst mog. ,t is us obby of th o,r.Powered . Lorita Ra~tm os ? pre_s~oS;note Theatre c~~ope magnitude ,on •s on attract· attraction l e,re , oo. •on of c : ove y ons1derob/e 22 23 When it was decided to scuttle the pipes being long gone). The hour-long Seattle Orpheum Theatre, the wreck­ pre-feature concerts were well-received ing company submitted an estimate at the often full houses ( 1250 seats at of five days to level the building. the Sanford), especially during the But they failed to take into consid­ "Sound of Music" run, claims our re­ eration the solid construction of the porter. Just as we went to press we venerable movie palace and seven learned that Eric was set for a similar weeks later they were still hacking chore at the 2-4 Wurli piper in the away and swinging wildly with the Brook Theatre, Boundbrook, N. J.,an in­ steel ball. The 3 / I 3 Wurli? It's safe; ~trument maintained by local ATOErs removed and stored some time ago and played before audiences on week­ by Puget Sound Chapter members. ends. Harry Dost owns it now. Speaking of Martha Lake, those From Woodbury , New Jersey, War­ who were disappointed by her fail­ ren Clark reports that Bob Figlio is play­ ure to make an ing the pipes in the Broadway Theatre} appearance at SHORT SHOTS FROM the ATOE con­ EVERYWHERE Pitman, N.]. for intermissions every Saturday night , sometimes oftener. War­ vention in De­ troit will be in­ r en sent along a snapshot of a very slow terested in this Organist Milton Charles, whose method of moving a pipe organ but bit of gossip we very name conjures memories of the hastened to add that his organ was not picked up Mighty Mastbaum Theatre in Philly moved by Volkswagen alone. His wife from ATOE helped} too. and a school for theatre organists Prez. Dick bearing his name in Chicago, is show­ Schrum (who ing another facet of his personality seems to ha ·ve with his latest sideline, an art studio an amazingly Martha! Stood up again. he has opened very near the King's accurate source of information Arms restaurant in Toluca Lake,. about that Hippie from the '20s). It Calif. (between Burbank and North seems that rrboyfriend Bensie" Hall Hollywood) where he plays a Ham­ promised to meet her in Canada for mond spinet for evening guzzlers. a fling at rrExpo 67" if she just wouldn't embarrass him by cavort­ ing about at the Detroit bash. Blush­ Organist Johnny Ledwon, who is in ing Martha complied but B,ensie the throes of getting started on a build­ never showed, leaving her once more ing for his circa 24-ranker ( when com­ Moving Day-The hard way! jilted by the fickle finger of fate - pleted), has a tip for those about to do among other things. The reason is battle with the single-minded authorities New Jersey appears to be a fountain­ that the rrbest remaining MC" for who control the issuance of building head of organ activity, judging from organ events has acquired an inter­ permits. As in the numerous theatre stints undertaken est in developing gadgets for pipe far too many by Eric Zeliff, the 16-year-old who de­ organs (see LETTERS). branches of gov­ signed such subtleties as "Jet Exhaust" and "Tuned Beer Bottles" into his speci­ Back at Expo 67, those who visited ernment, the the Japanese pavilion report seeing and permit issuers fication of an organ suitable for the ubiquitous Martha Lake ( VOX POPS, hearing a Japanese-made electronic or­ tend to go "by June 1967 issue). Eric has been doing gan with a fairly normal specification book," and the his bit to keep organ music alive in his except for one st_op labelled "Adorable book states that home area theaters ( Madison, New Jer­ qedeckt." The export-minded builders there must be a sey) with pre-movie and intermission probably selected what seemed the most window every organludes at the Stanley Warner Mil­ likely translation from the choice given few feet if it's burn and Sanford ( N. J.) Theatres, play­ in the translating dictionary for "Lieblich listed as a room ing a Baldwin plug-in ( the original (lovely), but couldn't find "Gedeckt" John Ledwon even listed. ot be added to a house. No windows-no permit. Now, Our recent request for information even Elmer Fubb knows that a window about the elusive "Wild Oscar" resulted is needed in an organ chamber about as in a number of leads from kind read­ much as a hole in the wind conductor. ers, among them Laura Thomas in Buf­ So, Johnny and his Dad, Ray, decided falo, N.Y., and also Ken Richards who on a little camouflage; they described sent a clipping from an Akron news­ the windowless room where the chamber paper, a column which informed us that Oscar had played a Loew's there in the will go as a "storage area." The permit old days. We traced Oscar, whose cor­ was issued without question. We heard rect name was Lloyd Hill, to Dallas of a similar case where the chamber area where he had gone into the appliance was referred to as a "closet" on the ap­ business with his brother, Dexter. But plication. That got the desired effect, there our search ended: Lloyd Hill is too. Bureaucracy, it's wonderful! Eric Zeliff-He gets around. dead. october 1967 24 cheek, Kay wondered aloud, rrwhat meeting would profit from a dose of or­ Just about everything that George can I do to top this!" Kay wouldn't gan music. So, he asked his teacher, Wright does is of interest to organ have much time to worry about it Mark Davis, director of the Santa Fe buffs. Although it has to do with because she was in the final stages Conservatory of Music, to play. Davis is a plug-in, albeit a goo ·d one, we of preparing for the late September known for his classical and generally couldn't resist passing it on. The Annual Home Organ Festival at Ho­ "longhair" approach to music, and few scene was the Crystal Ballroom of ber g's (Calif.), which she co-chair­ of his present day colleagues knew that the Hotel Whitcomb in San Francis­ mans with Dewey Cagle. he once warmed the bench of a theatre co. Rodgers dealer Kay Chenoweth organ. Davis agreed-if he could play Kay was busier even than antici­ had planned an open house-style "theatre style". So, an Allen Deluxe party, as organ dealers are wont to pated when Co-Chairman Cagle suf­ theatre model was wheeled into the fered a heart attack early in the Fes­ do, and a flock of top talent showed Santa Fe Desert Inn for the confab and tival proceedings and was rushed to up to play, share the cameraderie Davis made a solid hit with a nostalgic a hospital for treatment. Dewey is program which started with "Valencia." now recuperating satisfactorily, ac­ Theatre music from the silent era was cording to latest telephone reports. well represented by Fletcher's "Demoi­ We haven't heard much of Gaylord selle Chic" ( 1914) , "When the Mid­ Carter's activities lately, mainly because night Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam' " his mocor is always running and he ( 1912), Nora Bayes' "Just Like a Gypsy" rarely lights anywhere long enough for (1920) and Walter Blaufuss' lovely a report to headquarters. So we muse de­ melody, "My Isle of Golden Dreams" pend on fleecing glimpses. One such (1919). From the Toastmasters' reac­ "happening" occured at the Seattle Pa­ tions there was reason for "O. G.'s" post­ cific University, and it resulted in the concert enthusiasm. "Perhaps I've sown discovery of a "lost" pipe organ by the wme seeds in fertile ground," he Puget Sounders. While casting about chortled. looking for a hall in which to show off Lots of good reaction co our new Gaylord playing an electronic, they dis­ column, "Nuggets from the Golden GEORGE BUSSES KAY! Lovely Kay Chenoweth covered the 3-14 Kimball long ago re­ Days." It was started as a result of re­ appears I um in es cent on being bussed by moved from the Seattle Neptune theatre. George Wright. quests for more nostalgia and its initia­ It was remembered as one of the finest­ tor, lloyd Klos did a lot of research to and partake of the free grape punch. sounding theatre jobs in the Northwest. determine whether such a column could Among those who entertained the So Chapter Chairman Russ Evans, Dan be maintained. Seems like it can but 2 5 0 present were Scott Gillespie Adamson ( remember chat wild banquet even so, Lloyd is soliciting material. So, ( once of the Salt Lake City rrorgan ~how MC at the 1966 Portland ATOE if you have an ancient periodical with Loft"), Jim Roseveare, Van Welch, convention?), Bob Jones and Dick an interesting item from "the golden June Melendy, Larry Vannucci, Tiny Schrum ( he was there, too) gave the days," copy it off giving name, year and James, Richard Purvis ( of Grace Ca­ Kimball a going-over to return it to issue of the publication, and send it to thedral) and Lyn Larsen. A man theatre sounds. Gaylord was delighted "The Old Prospector", 104 Long Acre with silver-streaked hair had come and played a fine program for the Puge­ Road , Rochester, New York 14621. in with Larsen and he looked f amil­ teers on it. iar to many present. Then Lyn in­ More on Gaylord. On November 14 troduced him, rr ••• George Wright." he played a concert on the 2-8 Wurlitzer George took his turn at the big in the Bell Friends Church, Bell, Calif. horseshoe Rodgers and had a won- ( South of L.A.). This is the organ nor­ mally presided over by that fine pops and church organist Dean McNickols whose record on it is reviewed in this issue. In Santa Fe, N. M., 0. G. Betan­ court at last knew what it was like to own pipes. He latched onto a four­ rank Wicks (Diapason, Bourdon / Flute, Salicional and Oboe) in excel­ The Old Prospector (Klos-shaven). lent condition. It has a horseshoe From Dallas, Texas, there was good console and "0. G." has written to news for those who fondly remember Wicks to see if its genealogy can be the wonderful nightly "Moon River" traced. Meanwhile he's making plans organ program which once emanated to give up considerable space in his from radio station WL W in Cincinnati, HAVING A BALL-George obviously enjoys the pad to the instrument. company and the instrument. The part of the Ohio . The 3-14 Wurlitzer, long gone audience pictured reflects the happy mood of While we are contemplating Santa from the station, turned up in Dallas, the gathering. -Bob Churchill photo Fe, there's an item which is a little an­ purchased by ATOEr Charles Evans. It derful time providing a wonderful cient now bur it's worth the telling. It is being installed under the direction of time for those present. It was a per­ happened at the Spring Conference of a young man whom Evans describes as / ect frosting for a wonderful eve­ the El Paso (Tex.) and Santa Fe Toast­ "a perfectionist, " Rod Yarbrough. Evans ning of music, and later, after she masters club, whose Governor is the was full of praise for Yarbrough during had recovered from the effects of a same 0. G. Betancourt mentioned above. the Detroit convention and paid tribute kiss George planted on her lovely Being an organ fan he figured that the (Continued on Next Page)

25 theatre organ I bombarde VOX POPS, contd. cums off the crems briefly for a "pseudo­ churchie " effect, one is still aware chat to the young man in a brief speech at he's playing a Wurlitzer. Of course, it the banquet. Those who have heard a has been done before by Paul Mickelson, cape of only a portion of the partly-in­ stalled instrument were inclined co agree Brad Braley, Paul Carson, Jim Orcutt chat Rod "has the couch" needed co and Lorin Whitney, but never with more transform a pile of pipes into a thing of appeal co the theatre-oriented listener beauty . Perhaps "chat" lazy scream of than here. Despite the size ( eight ranks) dreams" will flow again. che organ sounds expansive and full and there is never a lack of variety. The play­ For about a year the B0MBARDEhas ing is simple and clean, always with a been receiving letters from a correspon­ welcome transparency. There is lots of dent who signs "Lew Williams. " From the maturity reflected in his writing and contrast. The organ may be small, but it his knowledge of organs , we assumed has some fine ranks, notably a lovely Mr. Williams co be between 25 and 35 Vox Humana and a lush Tibia. The years of age. Imagine our surprise and The BOMBARD£ reviews organ record­ front of the jacket is covered by a color ings for official ATOE publications. delight when Lew showed up at the De ­ Manufacturers, distributors or individu­ photo of the Sanctuary, showing the con­ troit convention-a lad of 14. Since als sponsoring or merchandising theatre sole location and the chamber grilles. then Lew has visited the Saenger The­ pipe organ records are encouraged to The backliner cells about the instrument atre in New Or­ send copies ( Monaural, if possible) to and the organise. But there's more. Pur­ leans and reports the BOMBARD£, Box 5013, Bendix Sta­ chase of the album can amount to a tion, N. Hollywood, Calif. 91605 . Be that the big healthy slap at communism. All proceeds Morton is in sure to include purchasing information, if applicable. go coward su pporcing an agricultural pretty fair shape, mission with a destitute tribe of Guate­ except for a few ' Sounds of the Sanctuary: reeds out of tune malan Indians (including what would and the usual Dean McNichols at the Wurlitzer organ normally be the organist 's royalties). The ciphers which in the Bell Friends Church, Bell, Calif. Redf inks are reported to be making develop in a lit­ Available by mail only for $4.00 ( check gains in Guatemala, appealing co just tle-used instru­ or money order) sent co Organ Record, such people as the usually hungry Indi­ ment. He adds California Yearly Meeting, Box 389, ans. But "redthink " doesn't gee very far that it has a LewWilliams Whittier , Calif . 90608 . Stereo only. where there 's plenty of food and the "crazy" bird effect which chirps once Allow three weeks for delivery. church mission is teaching modern agri­ "then lees out with a sick "deeyyooooo!" cultural methods so the Indians can grow trailing upward. He has heard from Don True, it's a collection of hymns played their own food. May in Bacon Rouge and Don reports on a theatre organ, and it was compiled chat he is installing a pedal Diaphone co co appeal mainly to Protestant Christians The whole encouraging story is cold beef up the bass end of the little Mor­ (which it will). But that isn't the whole on the album jacket. But even without ton, and the two-deck console will soon story. While the Christian will recognize the political angle, it's a worthwhile ride on its own elevator. All of which "In the Garden," "The Old Rugged album. The theatre organ sound abounds. should be of interest to Randy Sauls, Cross," "Lead Kindly Light" and "Whis­ who played it in the "early talkie " era. pering Hope" (among many others ), the EDDIE DUNSTEDTERWANTS Overheard outside the Pick-Fore Shel­ pure musicality of the treatments would by Hotel during the Convention : Man appeal to a Buddhist, a Zoroastrian, an READER HELP CHOOSING viewing the camera-laden convention­ Ahura-Mazdan-all unaware of the reli­ TUNES TO RECORD eers heading for a concert, "Gosh, it gious connotations-or a plain heathen. muse be some kind of a photographers ' Mose of the tunes are given full theatre Organise Eddie Dunscedcer has an­ meeting! " organ registration, but even when Dean nounced chat his next recording will be something of a "request program." The famed organise wants B0MBARDE readers co send him lists of the tunes The exciting sounds and styles of they would most like co hear him play on a coming recording. Of course, he ~1)1)1~ LA ~TO~ can't guarantee chat all tunes submit­ ted will be selected but all who par­ abound in this new organ collection! ticipate will have helped set the trend as co the type of music and style co be employed . He will base his selec­ "WONDERFUL!WONDERFUL!" tion on the ten most-requested tunes. for all organs The requests may include any type of music- pops, standard or classics . Layton's very special arrangements of television, radio, At your dealer or direct film and show themes, old and new, including hits like Those wishing to help Eddie Dun­ MORE, MANHATTAN, MISS AMERICA, WONDERFUL! scedcer choose his tunes may address WONDERFUL! GET SMART. . . 1.75 him as follows: E. Dunstedcer, Box 136 West 52nd Street 5013, Bendix Station, No. Hollywood, E.B. MARKS MUSIC CORPORATION New York, N.Y. l 0019 Calif. 91604. october 7967 26 LISTEN! A Theatre Organ Bombarde Cover Stor BecomesExcitingly ALIVE!

FRONT AND CENTER Allen Mills .... ALLENMILLS FEATUREDORGANIST AT AT THE CONSOLEOF THE AUDITORIUMTHEATRE PIPE ORGAN 1964 and 1967 A.T.O.E. Rochester, New York Ptogtam NATIONAL CONVENTIONS SIDE ONE plays to big 4/ 21 WurliTzer S0/'IGS FROM " ll( OROUGHL.VMODP.Rlli M I U.IE" TJTl.ESOMG POORBlrrTERFL\ in the Auditorium Theatre, BABY FACE Rochester, New York

Prior to his years as an entertainment artist (he has per­ formed in the resorts in New York State's Castkills and Adiron­ SIDE TWO dacks as well as in Florida and the Jamaicas) Allen Mills had a thorough grounding in musical fundamentals. He studied at Westminster Choir College and the Crane School of Music and SOHGS fROMTHE "!i'll(ETJ::D'Tq'tTJES " LAST li'ICiffT OS ntf BACK PORO! under such teachers as Hugh Allen Wilson and Dr. George TOOT TOOT TOOTSIE Markey. He is currently Director of Music, Trinity Methodist Church, Albany, N.Y. His great technical proficiency is very I "'Ill . WAIT r<>fl \'OU (Thl"IM. ' rro• " THl. llt,IBR[LLAS or CHF.ROOURG'· ) much in evidence as he plays the "Mighty WurliTzer" in FRONT AND CENTER. STEREO

Cover photos of the February 1967 THEATRE ORGAN/ BOMBARDE and FRONT AND CENTER jacket (above) show interior of the 2700-seat Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, New York. you read how this beautiful WurliTzer was saved when the 3000 - seat Palace Theatre, Rochester, New York was torn down in the fall of 1965. You may have heard Don Scott's recording, "An Evening At The Palace," made shortly before the theatre closed (a few albums are still avail­ able). Now you can hear how this magnificent instrument sounds in its new home. Send for your FRONT AND CENTER album today! * * * HEAR a high quality recording of a theatre pipe organ in perfect condition under the most Allen Mills at the console of the Auditorium Theatre 4/21 WurliTzer favorable acoustics. Thrill to all those "throbbing tibia" and toy counter sounds you expect from a A STEREO RECORD theatre pipe organ. You'll be delighted with MAS TERED AND Allen's refreshing and varied registration. As you PRESSED BY CUSTOM listen to his skillful display of the organ's orches­ SERVICES DEPT. tral voices, with a most judicious use of percus­ sion, you'll understand as never before, why the Send check or money order and your name and address to: WutliTzer organ was once called the "Unit Orches­ ROCHESTER THEATRE ORGAN tra"! This is an A-1 recording all the way ... send plus 25c postage and SOCIETY, INC. for your copy TODAY! handling charge. Box 53, Fishers, N.Y. 14453

27 theatre organ I bombarde normal bass line. The first two Moonlight platters tones. Best of all, come from 11down under)) and features Concert's prexy, the organ in the Regent Theatre) Ade­ Bill Johnson, laide) Australia. Knight Barnett1s disc is will encourage labeled 11Australia in Music') while Ian those who were Davie/ is 11The Song of Australia.)) Club unhappy with members will be mailed details. the first version Most of us are careless in handling to trade in their recordings. To find out what could be "Evening" on the done to prolong record life we asked improved record Concert Recording Co., for some tips on -even Steven, prolonging record life. The company's no additional Jim Orcutt, whose Christmas concert prexy, Bill Johnson, provided the fol­ fee. Fair enough? tape played on a 3-10 Morton in a Tulsa, lowing suggestions: Okla., church p.t;oved such a "sleeper," is RECORD RELEASE: An LP "The greatest enemy to a quality pho­ dickering with Concert Recording for played by Jimmy Boyce on his 4/ 43 nograph recording is the turntable or the release on discs of his latest record­ Wurlitzer in the Alexandria Rink changer and its stylus (needle) and tone arm. The second greatest enemy is the ing. The new recording, played on the (Va.) ( originally the Radio Center user. Never touch the surface of your same instrument ( after considerable Theatre organ, plus additions). 1The Organ of the Month Club )) has records. Body oil softens the vinyl and is trem readjustment), offers pops and ann ounced a subsidiary to be called also picked up by the stylus and causes standards in the same appealing Orcutt 11Moonlight Records )) which will intro­ corrosion to its mounting. Never allow a style. As we went to press, the prospects duce a line of lower-priced monaural record, in or out of its jacket to remain looked good. organ records of special interest to col­ in the direct sunlight or bc:~01ne over­ The newest in music is the 11psych edel­ lectors. Material for the Moonlight label heated. Keep them in a record rack or ic)) fad. Hal Blaine)s 11P sychedelic Per­ will be drawn from the vast store of shelf where they may be stored vertically. Never stack them horizontally. Use only cussion/) (Dunhill No. 50019) stereo) is taped organ music which doesn 't quite a diamond stylus and have it checked probably a fair meet the quality standards of the Concert semi-annually by your dealer (diamonds example of what Recording line but which still has strong do wear, especially when used to play is described as appeal to organ music aficionados. Thus 11mindblowingn we may be able to still obtain music monophonic records). Be sure that your played by a beloved deceased organist stylus exerts no more than 3 grams pres­ music) the latest . thing in 11hap­ who made test tapes on his home re­ sure on your record ( the weight of a I ,1 corder. Another case would be music penny). Older changers and inexpensive penings.)) Yet) on I, I the jacket are taped a few years ago before present record players require much greater 11 listed the instru- ...._..,...,-.;.~~ ,f standards put it in the medium fidelit y/) pressure than this and do definitely dam­ ~~-,,.... ~ class, perhaps a recording of an organ age all records played on them. ments used to ~ ·'-·tt~ . produce this f u­ .flll!""•·<: , long removed and its theatre trans/ armed 'The old cliche was never more appli­ tttris tic 11brain­ ~-~,·::"II( •ft into a parking lot. Prices will be lower cable than to the modern day phono­ buster. )) Among but processing, surf aces and jackets will graph record -'with the proper care it them are: Train /f!lll boast the same quality as the Concert will outlast the user'." Whistle) Klaxon Horn) Castanets) Cow Bells) Glockenspiel , Bird Call) and Chinese Gong- all of which may be found on any well- equipped theatre organ built 40 years ago.' New) htth? The jacket also lists the mitsicians and among them is organist Paul Beaver , whose Wurlitzer'd 11Perchance to Dream /) album (Rapture , stereo IIIII) is a gem of understated tonal psychedelicism. Bitt his instruments this trip are listed as 11electric modulation apparatus )) and 11Moog Synthesizer. )) We are not recom­ mending this recording ( not having heard it) but the jacket is a dream.' One of Concert Recording's first ef­ forts was a disc played by Al Bollington on the Harvey Heck 4 - 27 Wurlitzer. Those who were disappointed in the re­ cording's lack of audible pedal bass will be happy to learn that "A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening " is about to be released as an "Organ of the Month" of­ fering but with a drastically altered re­ sponse curve, one which brings out the But Mr. Bibbitz-1 told you on the phone that it wasn't multiple track recording! october 1967 28 THEY ALL PLAYED... TO HEAR THEM PLAYED By RAY BRUBACHER Associate Editor-Theatre Organ

The purpose of this directory, listing theatre pipe organs being used in theatres and other public places, is to provide the organ enthusiast with a comprehensive listing of instruments that may be heard without obtain­ ing special permission from private owners to hear a theatre organ. This START ING YOUNG-Peter (3) and Joe (4), sons is the first such directory to be published in the history of ATOE, and it of Dr. Ray N. Lawson, Montreal, give the Wur­ will be brought up to date at frequent intervals. The listing will be con­ litzer in their home a workout. So far, the tinued over several issues of the magazine, and will be listed by chapter bottom manual holds their interest, but their reach is improving. and in no special order. 1. SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER 4. EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS FOX THEATRE, 660 PEACHTREE STREET, STONEHAM TOWN HALL, STONEHAM, ATLANTA, GEORGIA MASSACHUSETTS The organ is a Moller 4 manual 43 rank in­ The organ is by Wurlitzer, and is a 2 man­ strument, and is played on Friday, Satur­ ual, 14 rank instrument. The instrument is day and Sunday evenings at approximately featured in regular concerts by various ar­ 9 p.m. by Bob Van Camp. tists. Interested persons should contact the chapter officials of the Eastern Massa­ chusetts Chaper. 2. POTOMAC VALLEY CHAPTER BYRD THEATRE, 2908 WEST CARY STREET, 5. OREGON CHAPTER RICHMOND, VIRGINIA PARAMOUNT THEATRE, S.W. BROADWAY The organ is by Wurlitzer; 4 manuals, 17 AND MAIN, PORTLAND, OREGON LITTLE SUSIE YURKO is dwarfed by the huge ranks with piano, and is played every eve­ The organ is a Wurlitzer Publix 1, being of Senate-Orbits 4-34 Wurlitzer as she plays a ning except Sunday by Eddie Weaver. 4 manuals, 20 ranks. It is played by various creditable "Hungarian Rhapsody" at 1967 ATOE artists on special occasions. convention in Detroit. LOEW'S THEATRE, 6TH AND GRACE ORIENTAL THEATRE, S.E. GRAND AND STREETS, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA MORRISON STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON The organ is a Wurlitzer of 3 manuals and The organ is a Wurlitzer of 3 manuals and 13 ranks, played on weekends by Lynwood 13 ranks and is played by Glen Shelley for "Nick" Pitt. silent movies presented once a month on Saturday at 8 p.m. MOSQUE AUDITORIUM, LAUREL AND MAIN STREETS, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA IMPERIAL SKATING RINK, S.E. UNION AND Wurlitzer organ, 3 manuals, 17 ranks, used MADISON STREETS, PORTLAND, OREGON for most civic functions in city owned audi­ The organ is a Wurlitzer of 4 manuals and torium. Auditorium has been completely re­ 18 ranks and is played for skating sessions furbished and increased usage is planned every day except Monday, from 7 to 11 for the organ. p.m., by Don Simmons. IMPERIAL SKATING RINK, S.E. UNION, ALEXANDER ARENA, 807 NORTH SAINT PORTLAND, OREGON ASAPH STREET, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA The organ is a Wurlitzer-Wood instrument The organ is a Wurlitzer of 4 manuals, 34 of 3 manuals, 18 ranks, played every day ranks, originally in the Centre Theatre, New except Tuesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. by Gary York City, owned and played every day for Russell. skating sessions by Jimmy Boyce. -Bob Churchill photo BILL BLUNK STUDIOS, CORNER OF NORTH KORLA AT THE KEYS-A "mystic East" atmo­ TIVOLI THEATRE, EAST PATRICK STREET, GREELY AND JESSUP, PORTLAND, OREGON sphere descended on the Carl Greer Inn in Sac­ FREDERICK, MARYLAND The organ is Marr & Colton of 5 manuals ramento, California, when Koria Pandit made The organ is a 2-8 Wurlitzer, played on spe­ and 24 ranks, and is used for A.T.O.E. jam an unheralded appearance at the Inn's 4 -16 cial occasions by A.T.O.E. vice president sessions and programs on the 1st and 3rd Robert Morton on August 19. It was the betur­ Richard F. Kline Jr. Sunday of each month except during July banned one's second engagement at the and August, from 7 to 10 p.m. 4-decker and both times he enjoyed the ap­ DOUGLAS BAILEY ADVERTISING AGENCY, plause of a large and responsive audience. 140 CONGRESSIONAL LANE, ROCKVILLE, 6. LOS ANGELES CHAPTER MARYLAND WILTERN THEATRE, LOS ANGELES, The organ is a Moller and has 2 manuals, 9 CALIFORNIA ranks, and is heard daily over station The organ in the Wiltern Theatre is a Kim­ WPIK from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on the Parker­ ball of 4 manuals and 37 ranks. Though not Bailey Show. After October 1, the organ is used daily, it is heard on a regular basis to be heard over station WHFS FM stereo, for concerts. Interested persons should con­ 102.3 me. The instrument is played by Doug tact Los Angeles Chapter officials. This or­ Bailey and visitors are always welcome at gan will be featured during the 1968 A.T. the studio. O.E. National Convention. 7. PIEDMONT CHAPTER 3. SAINT LOUIS CHAPTER CAROLINA THEATRE, GREENSBORO, FOX TREATRE, 527 NORTH GRAND, NORTH CAROLINA SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI The organ is by Robert Morton and has 2 The organ is a Wurlitzer of 4 manuals, 36 manuals and 6 ranks. It is played for spe­ ranks and is one of the two "Crawford spe­ cial occasions by Nelson Guard. Interested NorCalChap's playing "rep." Tiny James is here cials" still in use. The organ is played every persons may contact him through the Wur­ shown during an after hours session at the day between noon and 11 p.m., by Stan litzer dealership in Greensboro. Detroit Fox 4-36 "Crawford Special" Wurlitzer. Kann. (To Be Continued Next Issue)

29 theatre organ I bombarde and it was announced that the chapter of some 70 members present. Joy encored now owns two thea tre organs; the latest with "What Now, My Love" played as a saved from air-conditionihg ducts just a tango. Then as the clock struck 10: 00, few days before the meeting. Treasurer the blower was given a well-deserved John Angevine and his new bride Kathy rest, and the chapter members left wish­ wer e thanked for their tremendous ing there was just a little bit more. efforts in removing the instrument, 3/ 10 Marr & Colton. Progress on the New Haven Paramount was discussed next. DELAWARE VALLEY The organ is nearly completed, most of About 50 members attended the busi­ it having been removed from the theatre, ness meeting at the Grove Theatre on ••••••• ••••••• releathered, rebuilt, refurbished, restored June 25, and were brought up to date and re-installed. The 2/ 10 Wurlitzer is on many of our activities at that time. virtually a new instrument. Negotiations are presently under way WIll -'A'\...V Ill At 7:00, the evening festivities began with the owners of the theatre in hopes with shore concerts by Ev Bassett, Al of having the rent reduced from their •CHAPTERNEWS• · Miller and Jack Moelmann, who was current figure of $150 per month to A. Be sure you mail all Chapter News to: down from Westover F. B. Jack put something that the club could more eas­ A.T.O.E.-P.O. Box 7404, Bitter Lake Sta­ on a humorous tongue-in -cheek presen­ ily afford. The theatre is in poor condi­ tion, Seattle, Wn. 98133 tation which included a lonely Vox tion, and needs a great deal of rehabili­ Humana sobbing "I Can't Give You tation, including a new heating boiler. Anything But Love, Baby." Jack Heav­ CONNECTICUT VALLEY Still, the building holds great possibili­ ens took the bench next, followed by ties for becoming an ideal home for the As has been a recent custom of the Mike Foley, who played "A Perfect chapter. The location is excellent, with Connecticut Valley Chapter, its member­ Song," ,','My Funny Valentine" and "Sabre good transportation, and adequate park­ ship took to the hills for its June meet- Dance. ing. The projection and sound equip­ .. ing. The setting at the home of Eleanor ment are still in, but the screen is not and Harold Weaver is just perfect for useable. Seating capacity is about 550, keeping cool on a hot summer day, while and there is a possibility of renting the enjoying their 3/ 9 Marr and Colton. building out to other groups occasionally Although the Weavers had removed the to help defray expenses. Large doors in furniture to provide for folding chairs, the rear of the theatre provide easy ac­ most of the members spent the after­ cess directly onto the stage, which is noon in the adjoining yard. The organ where the organ would be installed. Last, can be en joyed outdoors by means of but not least, we would have full and two window walls which open onto the private use of the building for whatever patio. purposes we might see fit. Of the mem­ The organ, which includes Tibia, Open bers attending, an overwhelming ma­ Diapason, Viole Celeste, Viole D'Orches­ jority voted in favor of making the tre, Concert Flute, Vox Humana, Tuba­ Joy Zublena, former Miu Connecticut, at Weav­ Grove Theatre our home, if the cost Trumpet, Kinura and Moller Oboe, is er's Marr and Colton 3-9. problem could be worked out. ( This installed in two chambers just below vote was not an official action of the floor level at one end of the contempo­ Then the featured organist and chap­ body, but rather an opinion poll.) rary house. The chambers speak into a ter member, Joy Zublena, stepped up. In passing from the subject of the mixing area which houses a Steinway Joy was Miss Connecticut just 10 years Grove Theatre, we would like to extend Grand, the Weavers' other prize instru­ ago, her talent being organ. She is right our thanks to Mr . Sam LaRosa, who ment. From this area the sound enters at home on the Weaver organ, since it made the ~rrangements for the meeting, the large living-dining room where the is the first pipe organ she ever had a and who has offered the chapter a heat­ console is located. The Weavers origin­ chance to work out on. Starting with ing boiler for the building, plus his ally had a modern free-standing fireplace "The Sound of Music" and "Climb Every services in installing it. Thanks to Sam situated centrally in the living area. The Mountain," she presented several mini­ also, for supplying the refreshments fireplace was removed and the console atures, followed by "Getting to Know which helped make this lengthy meet­ now stands on the raised hearth, with a You," dedicated to the chapter, and ing go a little easier. Reaching down a skylight replacing the original chimney. "Espana Cani." From the initial pedal little further into his bag of tricks, Sam The organ was painstakingly installed by intro, Joy showed off her precise tech­ has also come up with a replacement the Weavers with much help from chap­ nique in the orchestra arrangement. She for the damaged screen at the Grove, ter members, and was revoiced to fit the remarked that "when you sit at an organ thereby solving that problem, too. area into which it speaks. The sound is with percussions, you naturally want to Three other homes for the Sedgwick smooth and intimate, with a powerful use them," however, she did so very judi­ Organ are presently under consideration. full ensemble which neither blasts nor ciously. The Brookline Theatre, in Havertown; tires the ear. "From This Moment On" was an up­ a 24 million dollar addition to Hahne­ At 2: 00 host and program chairman tempo show-stopper , showing off her mann Hospital, still in the planning Harold Weaver pressed the button and deft fingering, with runs and counter­ stage; and the Trenton War Memorial. members spent the afternoon in a "jam" melodies on 2nd touch. Next came an The new bylaws which were read at session. Highlights were the first pipe interesting marriage of "Born Free" and the Grove meeting have been altered to organ performance of chapter secretary the "Battle Hymn of the Republic " conform to the wishes of the members Carmen Charette and some excellent played as a beguine. These were followed present at the business meeting , and playing by Young Russell Hubbard. by several other exceptionally well done have been readied along with the Arti­ A short business meeting followed, arrangements. In answer to the applause cles of Incorporation for filing with the

october 1967 30 CHAPTER NEWS, contd. crafted from solid Maple in the shape He liked the Wurlitzer and found it of a Tibia Clausa Pipe, was first used at completely adequate for his require­ Corporation Bureau in Harrisburg. The the business meeting at the Grove, and ments. The crowd was with him "all the name "The Theatre Organ Society of the proved to be very effective. Our thanks way", even to cooperating mightily on Delaware Valley, Inc." has been cleared to Tom for this unique addition to the the Sing-along. The picture was most with all agencies concerned, and a cer­ club's possessions. enjoyable because of Carter's imagina­ tificate for it has been issued. Notice of tive accompaniment. We were proud to Intents and Purposes of the proposed NIAGARA FRONTIER see the chapter so well represented. corporation will be published in the A most successful Concert, featuring Philadelphia Daily News and the Legal Lowell C. Ayars, was held on June 26 at PINE TREE Intelligencer, after which many more the Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, On the evening of May 9th, the mem­ complex legal steps will follow, finally New York. Members of the chapter have bers of Pine Tree Chapter attended a culminating in the issuance of our cor­ completely restored the magnificent 3/ 11 Lowrey Organ demonstration program porate charter. Our sincerest thanks to Wurlitzer to like new condition at no at Deering High School Auditorium in George Butler, Jr., the club's attorney, cost to the theatre management, and Portland. This was sponsored by the for his untiring efforts in our behalf, rented the lovely air-conditioned theatre Starbird School and Music Center and with regard to the legal entanglements for the evening, making it possible for the Lowrey Organ Company. involved in the incorporation of the the general public to attend, as well as The organist was Johnny Kemm of chapter. chapter members. Joplin, Missouri and a very capable one Beginning the 28th of May, the Sedg­ The program consisted of a "Pop" indeed. He put the three models, one wick removal crew worked every Satur­ Concert with a dash of classical tunes of which was a theatre-type, through day, plus an occasional Sunday, dis­ to add interest; audience participation their paces in a most skillful manner. mantling and moving the giant Moller We thoroughly enjoyed his program, as organ. As of July 31, the only remaining did all those present. pieces are three chests, five regulators, The evening's highlight came when the relays and the blower. The rest of Johnny graciously accepted our invita­ the organ, except for the console, is tion to accompany us to the State The­ safely stored in the basement of an atre for a session at the theatre's Wur­ apartment building in Willow Grove, litzer pipe organ. Despite the late hour and the console is in a large clean, dry Johnny ran through a few tunes, filling garage in Mount Airy, where it can be the theatre with some wonderful sounds. easily worked on. The removal crew has This writer couldn't help but think how done a fabulous job on this project, and much the patrons of our theatre con­ their dedication to the cause is worthy certs would enjoy hearing this man play. of praise and commendation from the Before going our separate ways, we entire chapter. Giving tirelessly of their Lowell Ayars at console of Riviera Organ. In had a pleasant chat with Johnny, learned efforts and their valuable Saturday time rear, left to right, Herb Schmit and Bill Hatzen­ that he is an ATOE member at large have been: Charles Slotter, a new mem­ buhler. Others unidentified. and has visited other chapters as op­ ber, who has not missed a single session; portunities allowed. Johnny Kemm is Bob Little, doubling as worker and offi­ with sing-along slides; and a silent movie not only a fine organist, but a very nice cial photographer; Eugene Witt, and his comedy, starring Charlie Chase in "Poor person to know. wife, Mary, who helped in several ways: Fish," accompanied by Mr. Ayars on the pipe organ with its many sound effects. Mary as paper crumpler for packing PUGET SOUND pipes, and Gene, who has made scale Lowell Ayars' musical credits are At 8 o'clock Friday, September 8 in drawings of all the action parts of the many. He is presently Director of Music the McKinley Auditorium at Seattle organ, as well as layouts of the chambers. for Public Schools in Vineland, New Pacific College, Chapter Chairman Russ Gene has been one of our steady dis­ Jersey, and Organist and Choir Director Evans introduced the dynamic, ever assemblers and movers, as well. Then we in a Bridgeton, New Jersey church. He popular Gaylord Carter, who kept the have Harry Dieffenbach, on hand most has also been featured artist for many audience spellbound with his musical of the time with his little red truck; Sam theatre organ concerts since revival of antics at the 3/ 14 Kimball (from the LaRosa, his Chevvy Van and brute this instrument nationally twelve years Neptune Theatre in the University Dis­ strength; Tom Davies who engineered ago, including the National Convention trict.) the moving of the console; Tom Elliott, in Buffalo in 1964 and in Detroit this of Collegeville; Dick Traister, of Spring year. After his "Perfect Song" ( Amos & City, Penna.; and Carl Barker and Harry Andy) beginning and a medley of "Old Linn of Media. Also on duty a good NORTHERN CALIFORNIA movie" themes, and some mood music, many Saturdays were: Gran Helmle, The meeting at the Cine-21 on Satur­ hero, villian and good old "fun" stuff, i. e. "The Chase", Carter demonstrated George Butler, Jim Breneman, Bill day, June 17, to hear Larry Vannucci Greenwood, Norman Mander, Ted No­ play the Robert Morton was certainly an organ stops, from the huge wood pipes wogrocki, Tom Himmelsbach and Bob artistic success. However there should to the tiny ones, with lots of difference Molesworth, and most likely a half doz­ have been a much larger turnout of in between. He then exemplified all this en others that I just can't remember at members. Larry did his usual beautiful with a Victor Herbert medley "March of this time. There was also a fellow named job, making the little 6 ranker sound the Toys", "Kiss Me Again", "Czardas", Proctor who has also been working with like a much larger installation. Our "Gypsy Sweetheart" and "Ah, Sweet the crew. thanks to Don Nutter, theatre manager, Mystery of Life." A new symbol of off ice, as well as a for his wonderful cooporation. When all were in the mood, the means to maintain order at meetings, has The Gaylord Carter presentation at screen was lowered and Mr. Carter been made for the chapter by member, the A venue Theatre was a memorable swung into some "vintage news reel" Tom Elliott. This beautiful gavel, hand- occasion. Gaylord was at his very best. (Continued on Next Page)

31 theatre organ I bombarde How to Play Cinema Organ rhythm in organ playing; organists, as a finally received his brand X ( 66) ... rule, are very lax in this matter and seem Eddie Zollman is doing a series of plug­ (Continued from Page 1 8) t0 look upon their instrument as a soul­ in concerts ... and Lyn Larsen played an Adapting Piano Solo and Piano-Con­ less and lifeless thing. Rhythm is all­ informal ( simple black tux and pink ductor Copies. Specially useful organ important in all music; it is the life of spotlights!) theatre pipe organ concert music of this nature, however, is limited the music. A human being whose heart on the new Trio model Rodgers plug-in. in extent, and the cinema organist has beats irregularly, or whose pulse is inter­ consequently to draw largely upon or­ mittent, is a sick and ailing person in chestral music, including, of course , need of medical attention . Rhythm is RED RIVER organ arrangements of such and orches­ the pulse - the heartbeat of the music, Labor day again found the Red River Chapter on the road to Bismarck, North tral arrangements of piano and other (Continued on Page 42) music. For this, the organist will usu­ Dakota to visit Riny Delzer and his ally play from either a piano solo ar­ Mighty 4M / 21 R Wurlitzer formerly rangement, if any special organ arrange­ CHAPTER NEWS, contd. in the old Minnesota Theater in Minne­ ment is not available, or, preferably, a music while the world as it used tO be apolis. We have had some very success­ piano-conductor copy. In such arrange­ unrolled on the screen. Next came an ful meetings not planning a formal pro­ ments, many passages are found which old comedy with lots of auto race ex­ gram but just turning the organ over to are either impracticable or ineffective on citement and some wonderful car smash­ the membership to play to their heart's the organ, and a means must be devised, up scenes-all to the magic of Carter content. Naturally, all new members frequently upon the spur of the moment, at the organ . were given the tour through the organ whereby the player can approximate to After a brief intermission of banjo chambers via carpeted cat walks and the right effect and carry out the com­ mus ic by the Banjokers, Mr. Carter eyes were wide open as the trems vi­ poser's intentions as closely as the organ came back with an old movie classic, brated and the chambers shook with will allow. "The Gold Rush " with Charlie Chaplin. sound. Importance of Carrying Out the Com­ Aga in the audience was lost in Carter 's After a light lunch, the group walked poser's Intention. By skillful judgment "snow storm, " "wind storm," and "house across the street to the Chuck Welch and again imagination, this can usually sliding " music and engrossed by the residence to see and play the Marr and be done with success; the player must Colton 2M/ 9R organ which along with not only fully realize the composer's in­ the Delzer organ was a National conven­ tention, but also the advantages and lim­ tion organ several years back. The cham ­ itations of his own instrument .. Many ber was found to be roomy and very passages so altered, have greater effect carefully layed out so no parts were on the organ than in their original form, crowded. With a live recreation room, while still fully carrying out the compos­ the organ sounded like 20 ranks instead er's intentions; an instance of this may of nine. be seen in Tschaikowsky's "1812 Over­ It was announced that charter mem­ ture," where many of the string passages ber Rev. Harvey Gustafson has resigned which are almost invariably quite oblit­ from the ministry to play the theatre or­ erated by the wind in orchestral per­ gan full time on a professional basis. formance, are heard on the organ with The election of officers was postponed striking effect and with improved bal­ for one meeting. ance. But, all depends upon the judg­ ment and imagination of the organist; it is a safe assertion that he will rarely play from a piano - conduct0r or piano solo copy where some such alteration is Gaylord Carter smiles from the console during not necessary. Puge t Sound Chapter film-concert at 3-14 The Pedals. As the pedal department Seattle Pacific College Kimball. corresponds t0 the basses of the orches­ tra, the organist should consider his pedal antics of Charlie Chaplin, perhaps the notes as "orchestral basses"; he will then greatest pantomimist of all time . Long avoid the holding of some notes through before the audience was ready to quit, interminable bars, or crawling from note the movie was over, Gaylord Carter was to note. At the same time, it will occur through playing-said his "Farewell," and was gone. Mr. Carter, please do t0 his mind that the double basses of the Red River Chapter members try out the Chuck orchestra are not always hard at work, come back again soon! Welch Marr and Colton 2-9. but occasionally have a few bars' rest DOTTED NOTES: while the cellos take charge of the bass. Plans are being solidified for the re­ ROCKY MOUNTAIN A 16-ft. bass continually employed for a building project concerning the 4-/ 18 An A TOE meeting in the Black For­ period of anything from one to two Wurlitzer at the 5th Ave. Theatre. Also est? Across an ocean to Germany? No; hours becomes tiresome in effect, to say in the offing are plans to finish the the least of it. in Colorado! The Denver group skim­ Paramount 4!'.20 combination action. med down the fast Interstate Highway Rhythmic Bass. Again, the rhythmic Johnny Seng just breezed through for toward Colorado Springs, but turned effect of the music depends t0 a large a plug-in blast ... Bill McCoy is due in east near the Air Force Academy, where extent upon the bass; in the majority of again . .. word from Don Baker that he a lovely winding road led through tall light pieces, and in any form of dance is coming in Feb. (pipes too, maybe?) evergreens to a mailbox marked "ATOE " music, it depends entirely upon the bass. . .. Woody Presho is enjoying his new -the home of Gene and Arlene Bacon. Rhythm. I wish at this point t0 im- Lowery Theatre job ... J:>rexySchrum A new Rodgers 3-manual dominated the october 1967 32 CHAPTER NEWS, contd. as two and a half hours of excellent accompaniment for the film. George's • large livingroom , and some 45 chapter capacity for presenting a polished re­ members assembled to hear old-pro Joel pertoire was further enhanced by this .~. program; many commented that it ex­ ceeded his "Phantom of the Opera " per­ formance earlier this year. Plans are un­ ~~ ~ derway for another event during the fall ...... season. Sunday, May 7th, found 36 chapter ~ I members driving , and 4 flying, to Hay­ TTT-.;rTTT ward, California, with the destination of Carsten Henningsen's "Ye Old Pizza Letters to the Editor concerning all as­ Joynt" and the 3/ 13-plus Wurlitzer. The pects of the theatre organ hobby are en­ meeting was called to order by chairman couraged. Send them to the editor con­ Larry Weid. Pizzas and "Stu Green cerned, Box 7404, Bitter Lake Station, Champagne" were ordered and with Seattle, Washington, 98133.· Unless it's George Seaver at the console a festive stated clearly on the letter "not for publi­ Kremer give one of his thrilling per­ air was soon eminent. A short business cation," the editors feel free to repro­ meeting was held in which Tiny James, formances. duce it, in whole or part. representing President Dick Schrum, Joel played one of the twin console presented the chapter with its official Wurlitzers at Denver 's Paramount The­ Bill Peterson charter. Excellent Organ presentations atre for many years ( now played by Bob 565 N. Portland Blvd., Apt. 101 were made by Tiny James, Clyde Derby, Castle) . Many Denver people attended Portland, Oregon 97217 the theater just to hear and see Joel George Seaver, Stu Moyer, Bob Taylor emerge from the pit to thrill them with and Barbara Pharmer. Dear Bill: his outstanding virtuosity-and he dis­ I wish to take this opportunity on be­ appointed no one this day. half of the Directors, Officers, Staff, and SOUTHEASTERN membership at large to extend sincere Some of the highlights in the pro­ The final meeting before we sus­ thanks for the outstanding service that gram were "Rain", "June is Bustin' Out pended for the Summer was held in you have done for ATOE during the All Over", "Moon River" , "Carioca", Chattanooga, Tennessee. Members gath­ 1966-67 season as Publications Director "Begin the Beguine", "Arna pol a", "I ered at the Tivoli Theatre Saturday eve­ of the THEATRE ORGAN B0MBARDE. Know Why", "Lara's Theme ", "Some­ ning, May 20, 1967, then all went in a The new format developed by you is thin' Stupid", "Blue Room", "Serenade group to dinner at a local restaurant. outstanding in every respect and I'm sure in Blue", 'Tm Just Wild About Harry ", will be continued for many years. "Sunny". After dinner , all the members went back to the Tivoli to enjoy Bill Barger It is sincere, unselfish service such as Although Joel remonstrated a little, at the Mighty 3 manual Wurlitzer. Bill's yours that makes this organization strong. saying he was not prepared, he complied playing was simply fantastic! He made I thank you, and only hope that you with a special request for Toccata in C the organ sound four times as big as it have been as gratified with the results of by S. Bach. It was an amazing per­ J. really was. your efforts as we as a group have been. formance of "heel-toe " and flying hands , not to be forgotten soon! Bill did justice to the heyday of the Sincerely DICK SCHRUM,President It was a happy, satisfied group that Theatre Organ, playing some of the best turned their cars northward with a flam­ mngs ever written. In addition, he play­ b ed one of his own compositions-"The ing red sunset to guide them back to 10 October 1967 Denver. Tivoli March". A spirited march it was, and one could almost hear the words Bill Peterson "Tivoli, Tivoli " over again. Bill's per­ 565 N. Portland Blvd., Apt. 101 formance was so good, in fact, that it Portland, Oregon 97217 SIERRA Dear Bill: With the final enthusiastic applause was after Two o'clock Sunday morning before we would let him away from the HELP!!!! of the audience, the Sierra Chapter con­ Yours sincerely cluded its first admission-type presenta­ console. But, not for long! For, bright and early Sunday morning, May 21st, we TOM KAASA tion since becoming an official ATOE b organization. Playing to a total of 1,500 were back at the Tivoli Theatre. We all 9 Appleby Court people, the occasion was the silent had coffee and sweet rolls, after which Islington, Ontario movie, "Lilac Time", starring Gary a short business meeting was held. Canada Cooper and Colleen Moore. Added at­ After the meeting, Bill Barger again Sept. 11, 1967 tractions were a comedy, Barney Old­ treated us to another fabulous recital. field in "Race for Your Life"; old time Bill's performances will certainly be long Dear Sir: advertising slides and a sing-along. Pro­ remembered. Congratulations to Mr. Richard Weber grams included a synopsis of A TOE and on his "Family Affair" as described in the It is appropriate, at this time, to information on the organ, which was August edition of the THEATREORGAN thank Mr. Bill Barger, and also Mr. the Wurlitzer 4/ 21 located in Grant B0MBARDE.A man must be really dedi­ Union High School, Sacramento. Mr. Lynn McCrory. Both members of ATOE, cated to go into "show biz" just to be Jim Hodges, manager of KHIQ, served The Southeastern Chapter, and also able to offer theatre organ music to a as master of ceremonies and led the members of the Chattanooga Theatre community, rather than just family and sing-along. George Seaver, at the con­ Organ Club, they made this great week­ friends at home. sole, presented a short concert as well end possible and most enjoyable. (Continued on Next Page)

33 theatre organ I bombarde LETTERS,contd. With this "consolidation," where does menting on my constant interruptions of Amongst the many other interesting that leave you? the music in the last issue of THEATRE literary articles I must mention the "let­ KEN DREW ORGAN-BOMBARDE. ter to the editor" from your London cor­ Livermore Falls, Me. But I feel that my major contribution respondent, Colin Betts. I do heartily en­ (Integrated - to say the least. It to the wonderful Detroit Convention - dorse his criticism of statements of E. R. seems that the preparation of two and I am not referring to my vocal debut P. Crawford, who either writes such daft mags under one cover offers too many with Lowell Ayars (" 'Barf,' says Sandy nonsense with his tongue in cheek, or is production problems, so both the THE­ ... ") at the Arcadia Rink - was given ATRE ORGAN and BOMBARDEeditors short shrift. May I indulge in a little otherwise seriously uninformed and mis­ 11 guided. Lists of work in hand by Amer­ took busts" to the rank of co-editor. shrift-lengthening in behalf of the "Lit­ ican builders in the Diapason, or by Eu­ I hate to have to admit it but I think tle Pet" Patented Unit Washboard At­ ropean builders noted in Musical Opin­ the August issue justifies the change. tachment? The device, which you dis­ And as Eric Zeliff states (referring to missed so churlishly as mere "toy counter ion would refute Mr. Crawford's remarks 11 11 on present day organ building. the horse" cartoon on page 37), It's impedimenta," is actually the result of Mr. Colin Betts refers to the 2/ 6 good to have some BOMBARDEin the many years of painstaking research, and Christie from Garon's Theatre, South­ front end of the horse, too." And Ben has been hailed as the greatest contribu­ end-on-Sea; and also to a similar instru­ Hall sent in a cartoon showing a two­ tion to theatre organ technology since ment from a theatre in Leigh - on - Sea, headed horse- one with a brushcut.' Hope-Jones invented the oval-headed The other end of the horse was labeled screw. Not just an "H - shaped gadget which I think must be what was called 11 the "Corona," when I went to be organ­ for rent." -WSG with an air hose attached to it," the Lit­ b b b ist and house manager there in 1938. tle Pet consists of an actual washboard When World War II broke out a year WILL THE REAL ALLEN MILLS such as is found in every up-to-date jug later, we all closed down for "blacking­ PLEASE ST AND UP? band today. The characteristic sound of out" but after inspection we reopened Dear Sirs: the true symphonic washboard - a joy­ ous, rhythmic punctuation to the music two weeks later. Until I received your August issue, I - is achieved by two carefully d<;signed A unique set-up at the Corona was never noted the remarkably close resem- our own gas ( coal gas, not gasoline) steel-wire "fingers," actuated by an over­ engine-driven D.C. generator, which pro­ sized pneumatic, which strum the corru­ vided electricity for the house lights, cin­ gated surface of the washboard and give ematograph arcs, and the organ. Owing a piquant quality to such madrigals as to war activities, there were many power "When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver, cutoffs, but we were able to continue to You'll Use Noxon for Shampoo." A "flat, entertain our audiences with organ selec­ dull, clicking sound,'' indeed! tions, which often lasted up to and as Since it was unveiled at the Senate long as two hours; during which time I Theatre, with Dr. Lee Erwin assisting would play anything and everything that with an ingenious arrangement of the came into my head for the usually very "Tee For Two Hesitation Waltz Clog," tolerant house. orders have been pouring in for the Lit­ The film projection had to be suspend­ tle Pet, and my manufacturing associate, ed during such power failures as A.C. the Quinby Orgyphone Laboratories, of was required for the leased sound - film Allen Mills acknowledges applause during his Krumet, N. J., is working night and day 1967 convention concert. apparatus. to fill them. That great artiste, Miss Mar­ Now, after 19 years in Canada, I am tha Lake ( who is currently drying out blance between Mark Koldys ( page 29) building my fourth organ in my home; after a binge brought on by her disap­ and Allen Mills ( page 3 5 ) . They seem the Franklin Legge 3/ 13 Theatre Organ pointment at not being asked to play in to be alike in every way. from the studios of the Canadian Broad­ Detroit) has ordered a Super Little Pet casting Corporation, Toronto. This organ TOM HADFIELD,Detroit, Mich. - this one comes in four pitches - for originally came from "Casa Loma," a her personal instrument. Our collective face is red for show­ well-known palatial landmark; while my In closing, let me say that we are now ing Mark Koldys twice, once standing­ No. 1 came from "Castle Frank," Toron­ at work developing a new percussion ac­ in for Allen Mills. Our apologies to to, a 2/ 12 Aeolin with player. cessory, suggested by your review in the both gentlemen; we goofed and we're As organist of the Canadian National pages of THEATRE ORGAN-BOMBARDE. sorry. Here is the photo we prepared Exhibition, I offer my best wishes to the It is called the Smith-Corona Quarrel­ for the Mills coverage. editor, staff and readers of the THEATRE some Typewriter, and will be operated And just to make matters worse, the ORGAN BOMBARDE. from its own four-manual keydesk title of the article was 11Allen Mills Yours very truly ("Tab Set" and "Tab Clear" buttons op­ Makes His Mark." Subtle.' tional, though "Tab Hunter" is standard RONALD W. PADGETT b b b b b with every model). We have already rrDON'T YOU BELIEVE IT" tested the pilot model on "Love Letters THAT rHORSE' AGAIN! DEPARTMENT in the Sand," and the results are exciting Mr. BoMBARDEEditor: Co-Editor - if slightly gritty. Where are you? I can't find you in THEATRE ORGAN-BOMBARDE Just thought you'd like to know. the August issue. I looked all through Dear Co, BEN M. HALL the issue and couldn't find where the One of the hazards of mastering the New York BOMBARDEstarted. It seems to be scat­ ceremonies at an A TOE convention is You cur, sir.' The abysmal way ,,ou tered willy-nilly between the covers with­ the necessity of appearing on the hour, stood up Martha Lake at Expo '67 ?ut an~ concentration of that zany qual­ every hour, to make idiotic noises ( the (See "Vox Pops") is not helped by ity which has always characterized the Human Cuckoo Clock!), and I want to your ungentlemanly accusations here, B0MBARDE,and the Posthorn before it. thank you for being so kind in com- and your cover-up - this wind-blown october 1967 34 LETTERS,contd. the inclusion of the series, "An Acre of to meet at their factory in Manchester clacker - is indeed a pusillanimous Seats in a Palace of Splendor." Ever since from time to time to play music of all farrago-a mere feint. Why-I'd be I read Ben Hall's "The Best Remaining kinds on the currently constructed organ willing to undertake a fratch with you, Seats," I have become very interested in in the workshop. yes - fight for her honor/ Which is the movie palace as a work of art. What The company was, however, not very probably more than she would do. is more natural than that an organization active in the theatre organ field in the -WSG such as ours should produce a regular United Kingdom, which was principally b b series of articles on the movie palace. held by Compton and Christie of the in­ P. 0. Box 993 Sincerely digenous builders. The organs mentioned Hesperia, Calif. 92345 RODNEYP. ELLIOTT,PH.D. by Dr. Tootell were of church- organ IO September 1967 b b b style and of the 17 or so instruments Dear Scaff: 7 Elmridge Drive built, all but ten were of the stop-knob As usual, I greatly enjoyed the latest Hale Barns, Altrincham console style. I enclose a photo of the issue, and feel sufficiently inspired to Cheshire, England organ in the Waterloo Cinema, Black­ offer the following comments: Dear Mr. Editor, pool, which was identical to the Palace, 1. President Dick Schrum, in his mes­ I was most interested to see that you Accrington, organ mentioned by Dr. Too­ sage on Page 1 refers to an overlapping had published an extract from George tell. The Great and Solo organs were of Rail Enthusiasts with Organ Enthusi­ Tootell's book, "How to Play a Cinema playable from one manual, the Solo stops asts. Does this mean that Dick is a rail­ Organ." I thought some of your read­ being enclosed. The Melody couplers fan too? I've always been amazed to find ers might like to know more about Dr. were a device whereby, for example, the so many organ enthusiasts are also rail­ Tootell and the Jardine organs he men­ Swell Horn 8' could be coupled to the fans, and vice verja. What is the reason tions, so I am sending you a few brief Solo manual. The player played both for this? notes. hands on Solo, but the top note only of 2. I agree with Colin Betts in the final the chords played through from the Swell, paragraph of his letter on Page 44 that giving the melody on the Horn. a true steam locomotive enthusiast will These organs were christened "Orches­ never accept the diesel locomotive and a tral" organs by Jardine and Company. true pipe organ enthusiast will never re­ The firm's brochure of the period states gard an electronic "organ" as anything that the instruments departed from nor­ more than a substitute for the Real mal church practice in that they were Thing. based on Horn and String tone instead 3. In the summary of the recent of Diapason and they were designed for A TOE Convention in Detroit, at top of the cinema. second column on Page 33, referring to The largest "Orchestral" was built for the concert at the Arcadia Rink Wurlitz­ the Stoll, London. This had 47 stops, in­ er, mention is made of the fact that lis­ cluding couplers. This organ can now be Console of 3-17 Jardine Organ, Stoll Picture teners could wander about the rink and Theatre, London. found in West Hartlepool Catholic converse during the concert. Although Church. The Palace, Accrington, organ is we missed this year's convention, we did Dr. Toocell is now over eighty and also still playing in a nearby Methodist attend last year's convention in Portland, lives on the Isle of Man where he was Church! The smallest "Orchestral," built and found it most annoying to have for many years the organist at the Regal in 1927 for the County Cinema, Lancas­ members of the audience wandering and Picture House Cinemas in Douglas, ter, had only 13 speaking stops but 21 around and talking during the concerts the only organ-equipped cinemas on this percussions and effects! at the skating rinks. I feel that everyone tiny isle in the Irish Sea. With the arrival of the unit organ in attending a concert should show the cour­ The Picture House originally had a Britain, Jardine commenced construction tesy of giving the performing artist their Jardine organ, but this was replaced be­ of similar instruments, which were very undivided attention during a concert. If fore the war by a Compton of eight comprehensive. The climax of this work they'd rather hold a conversation than units. Both organs were recently removed was a replacement organ for the Stoll listen to the organ, they should leave the and came to the mainland, where the Theatre in London. This had 17 units, immediate area so they won't disturb Regal organ has found its way back into plus a five-rank mixture; and the speci­ those who wish to listen to the organ. a cinema building now used as a club fication enclosed has several other points I'll welcome comments from other con­ from which an identical instrument had worth noticing. This organ was recorded, ventioneers on this subject. been removed but a year previously! as was the original "Orchestral" instru­ 4. Congratulations to the Staff for the Messrs. Jardine and Company are still ment. fine job they are doing with THEATRE building fine church instruments and, Unfortunately, no Jardine organs are ORGAN-BOMBARDE.Keep up the good thanks to their technical director, the left in theatres, but an "Orchestral" organ work! Sincerely Theatre Organ Club has been privileged of four manuals originally built for a CHARD WALKER house can be found in St. George's P.S.: How about printing a photo of the Church, Bolton, Lancashire, complete ATOE National Secretary? with effects. (See page 22.-ED.) I could write much more, as I had the b b b privilege of having a complete hiscory of 1815 Wm. H. Taft Rd. Jardine theatre organs published in The­ Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 ' atre Organ Review a few years ago. Still, September 7, 1967 I hope the above is of interest and, may Gentlemen: I say in conclusion, how much I enjoy Bravo, Bill Peterson. receiving and reading THEATREORGAN­ The editors of THEATRE ORGAN­ BOMBARDE, particularly in its new BOMBARDEare to be complimented on Waterloo Cinema, Blackpool, console. format.

35 theatre organ I bombarde LETTERS,contd. CLOSING CHORD played for vaudeville shows at the Palo­ (Continued from Page 4) mar Theatre until 1944 when he took Best of luck in the future. John E. Mitchell, 65, known through­ over the orchestra at the Showbox Yours sincerely out the Pittsburgh area by the phrase Theatre. JOHN B. POTTER "Johnny Mitchell at the organ!" died on Reed was president of Local 76, AFM, b August 22, shortly after a cancer oper­ from 1944 to 1954, and served several 3 Page Street ation, in a Pittsburgh hospital. Mitchell's terms on its board of directors. He was Madison, N. J. 07940 career started in 1918 when he started president of the Northwest Conference September 9, 1967 playing for silent movies at 16 in the of Musicians from 1946 to 1952, and My Dear Miss Lake, Loew's Lyceum Theatre in Picsburgh. was its secretary- treasurer from 19 5 3 un­ I'd like to say that it was a terrible In 1921 he moved on to the Victor til 1962. shame that you, one of the greatest or­ Theatre in McKeesport, then joined the He is survived by his wife and two ganists of our time, could not give one Clark chain which operated the Regent sons, Eugene A. Reed of Seattle, and of your very distinguished ( for one rea­ and Liberty Theatres in East Liberty, Cape. Charles C. Reed of New York. son or another) performances at the re­ Penna. Leo Palucki of Erie recalls hear­ cent Detroit ATOE convention. You ing Mitchell at the Warner House when were the hit (POW) of the banquet at it f irsc opened. He opened at the Enright DELAWARE VALLEY Portland last year, and I know several in Pittsburgh in 1929, but by then (Continued from Page 4) people who were very disappointed to "talkies" had doomed silent movies so the organ installation technicians indi­ hear that you got left home in Squalor he changed to broadcasting with a daily cated that something was amiss. A call Hollow. "Footlights and Stardust" program from I have conferred with a pipe organ to the factory at Hagerstown, Maryland, owning friend of mine concerning the confirmed that there had indeed been a possibility of an addition to your 3/ 9 mixup; chis was the "Met" organ missent T. 0. which I designed for you last March. to the Sedgewick Theatre. The "Met" He agrees that the perfect addition to Moller was practically a twin of the 4-43 make it a 3/ 10 should be a VOX IN­ organ in the Fox, Atlanta, Georgia, the HUMAN A. This can be used in solo "Big Mo." Some fast reshipping resulted work with the Tibia Martha rank with and finally ·the 19-ranker arrived at the accompaniment, of course, on the VDB's! Sedgewick. I hope this meets with your satisfaction. In the spring of 1928 the theatre Hope you give another concert soon. opened with the largest theatre organ in Sincerely yours the Germantown area. This was opus ERIC ZELIFF 5230. Among the professional organists the Enright. In recent years he did club chat were to play chis Moller was Leon­ P.S.: When do I gee my record? work and teaching. A friend, Vincent b b b ard MacClain-demonscrator, designer Volpe, says, "Mitchell was a demanding and soloist. Dear Sirs: teacher, but his students loved him. And Being a theatre pipe organ buff, as Once again, 39 years later, was organ­ he was always ready to go along with us ise MacClain to present a lifetime of well as a fellow ATOE member, I am ( ATOEers) to play the Leona Theatre curious to know how many of our mem­ tunes flowing from his fingers, and Kimball over in Homestead. We in the chose Moller pipes responded. bership was fortunate enough to catch Pittsburgh district are going to miss the color TV show, titled "Across the Leonard MacClain-che master of the him. " He was planning a record release console-the teacher and the friend. Seven Seas" (Face and Place), which fea­ to be played on the Leona organ, accord­ tured in the opening segment an all too ing to Jay E. Smith. brief series of shots of Leon Berry's two­ Mitchell played at the Pittsburgh THE LIFE AND TIMES OF manual Wurlitzer pipe organ in his Civic Arena right up to the day of his home at Norridge, Ill. I accidentally admittance to the hospital for the oper­ ~aylnrh. illartrr tuned the program in for want of watch­ ation. He is survived by his widow, (Continued from Page 5) ing something other than a rerun and Marie; a son, John, and a daughter, Mrs. the caption in the TV guide stated mere­ Joanne Dunn. He was a member of AFM DURING THIS TIME, we were play- ly, "World's Greatest 'Do - It -Yourself' and A TOE. A story about his musical ing Harold Lloyd pictures. He would Organ Builder." I am glad it featured career appeared in the April 1967 issue make about two pictures a year, and one an artist from our Chicago area as I have of THEATRE 0RGAN-BOMBARDE. evening, one of his managers was in the all, or most, of Mr. Berry's albums as b b b audience at the Seville. Apparently, I well as hundreds of other pipe organ al­ Harry Reed of Seattle, 73, organisc­ was feeling pretty well that night, be­ bums, from Jesse Crawford down co the musician, long active in Pacific North­ cause I was just going co town on the most obscure artists. My only wish is west music circles, died in Miami Beach movie. He phoned the manager of one chat more exposure should be accorded August 7 after an illness of five weeks. of the big downtown theaters, and said, to the pipe organ to give the public a He became ill while attending the Na­ "There's a kid out here in the sticks more concise picture of the "World's tional Convention of the American Fed­ who's really kicking heck out of chis or­ Greatest Instrument." eration of Musicians in that Florida city. gan! You could probably use somebody Hoping you will find chis item of in­ He began his musical career at 14 as down there.' terest to our subscribers, I remain a church organist. Lacer, he was staff "They sent for me, I did an audition, Yours sincerely organise for Loew's Sc. James Theatre in and in 1926, I went into the Million Harry C. Miller Boston. He came to Seattle in 1921, and Dollar Theater at Third and Broadway, Box 336, R.R. #3 played the organ at cinemas there and in which was the leading presentation house Palatine, Illinois 60067 Everett. In 1931, Reed became assistant in Los Angeles. The pictures ran from a (Program data: Channel 9, July 23, program and musical director for radio month to two or three months, and we 1967-9:00 p.m.) station KJR. Leaving radio in 1937, he (Continued on Next Page) october 1967 36 prepared the scores well in advance. ald Coleman. I can't remember others. what actually is being labeled very often There was an orchestra, and the musical There were all sorts of films. is a similar thing, with maybe a slight director was Leo Forbstein, who later be­ "I didn't record any of the music in change in rhythm." came musical director at Warner Broth­ those days. The 'Ben Hur' score was pre­ ers' Studio. pared by a well-known musician in New T THIS point, Gaylord discussed "When I went into the Million Dol­ York. There was no original music in A styles of music played on types of lar, here was the setup: There was a con­ that particular score. It was a compila­ organs. cert orchestra of 3 5 men in the pit, Paul tion of , for example, Dvorak's 'New "Music is music, and organ-playing is Whiteman with about 30 men on the World Symphony' for the fighting scenes, organ-playing. It is perfectly possible to stage, and a great big score. I believe the and there were the 'Steppes of Central play classical style or popular style ( or first picture I played there starred Nor­ Asia' for the lonely sequences of the fort. theater style as it's sometimes known) ma Talmadge, though I don't remember There were three themes which were on practically any kind of instrument. the name of it. written for the picture by Dr. William You can take the most classical baroque "But here was a tremendous presenta­ Axt, who compiled the score. organ and play the blues on it, or play tion, and I, just a youngster from the "Many of the pictures had distinguished certain jazz styles. But, you can't get up outlands, came into this enormously musicians composing and compiling and really go on it in a jazz way. On a complicated atmosphere. I'd been there scores. Erno Rapee, for example, who good sized theater organ, which has dia­ about two weeks, was just petrified with was scoring pictures at that time in New pasons, tubas and trombones, you can the dynamic nature of it all, playing all York, wrote 'Diane' for 'Seventh Heaven' turn off the tremulants and play the Vi­ day, then practicing all night, when Paul which I played when I was working in dor Toccata so that it will sound just as Whiteman stopped me in the hall back­ Inglewood. It was a combination in those magnificent as on the finest classical stage and said, 'Carter, you've been do­ days of original and published music organ. ing a great job. I've been noticing what used in most of these scores. Now, of "It's really a frame of mind; it's a you're doing.' You had no idea what that course, everything is written for the pic­ point of view which you're using. If meant to a youngster just starting out! ture. There is practically no music which you're playing popular music, you're "This theater was one of the Publix is adapted from something else unless a thinking along those lines; if you're play­ Theaters, which was a national chain un­ piece is called for in the picture. ing classical music, you're thinking along der the supervision of Paramount Pic­ "There were entire books of mysteri­ those lines. tures. Sid Grauman, the former owner, ousos, agitatos, sweet music and sad mu­ "Of course, the organs should be de­ had given up the Million Dollar and the sic written for accompanying the silents. signed for the special kind of music, but Metropolitan ( the Paramount later) and I still have a musty library in a little it's perfectly possible to interplay types was running the Egyptian and the warehouse behind the garage at home, of music on different kinds of organs. In Chinese. just full of these things-agitatos, mys­ the early days when organs were first in­ "Two girls were my assistants, and tery themes, spooky music, happy tunes, stalled in theaters, there were no theater you can imagine their annoyance when I and all sorts of things. They went under organs per se; the kind which has the was brought in as supervising organist! what they called 'moods'." drums, the traps, the xylophones and One of them would come to work at 11 bells. Classical organs were installed in a.m. when the house opened. Then at 1 Gaylord explained that this was actu­ theaters. In the Capitol Theater in New p.m., I would come on and play about ally original mood music, so silent pic­ York, there was a great concert organ, 15 minutes. The orchestra would come tures pre-dated the present craze for and Dr. Mauro-Cottone, one of the lead­ in, play the overture, then the act, and mood music. "It was certainly along the ing classical organists in New York, was would go into about 10 minutes of the same line. It's a very interesting thing; featured in that theater for many years. the medium of presentation of entertain­ feature. I'd play the middle of the pic­ "I remember when I was just a ture, they'd come in for the last 10 min­ ment keeps changing-from silent movies to sound movies, to radio, to tele­ youngster in Wichita, there was an utes of the feature, then we'd do the Austin organ in the Palace Theater, and overture, which I played along with the vision, to the stage, to sports areas, etc. The setting and the type of entertain­ the organist was a concert musician by orchest_ra. Then would come the stage the name of P. Hans Flaff, who played show, the orchestra coming in for 10 ment change, but the music stays the same. 'A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody' is in strict concert style. It was later minutes again. I'd play till about 4: 30, ( I'm talking about the period of the followed by one of my assistants who'd still good for a sequence in any kind of medium. very early 1920's), that the need for an play till about 7, at which time, I'd come instrument in a theater which would back. We'd go through the routine again "The taste in music changes; the ap­ approximate orchestral sounds, was dis­ until the last feature at night, the orches­ preciation may be of a certain class. The covered, and mostly through the influ­ tra would play 10 minutes, and then I'd youngsters, say for instance, going for ence of Hope-Jones, we got orchestra finish it out, closing about 12 o'clock. So, rock n' roll. You had a jazz period, a sounds from organs in theaters, and it was from 1 p.m. till about midnight, boogie-woogie period, a pop period, a gradually the traps, drums, xylophones, with two hours off for supper. bop period and a rock n' roll period. bells, steamboat whistles and things "It was quite a bit of playing, but it But, for anybody to define exactly what were added to the consoles. It really was a wonderful experience working with these things are, and where one kind of started as classical organs in the theaters the orchestra in a big house. It was a music leaves off and another one starts, and gradually developed into something case of sinking or swimming in a hurry/ would be pretty difficult to do. I remem­ which was far closer to what was needed I had to work pretty hard to keep up ber listening one time to Richard Rodg­ in order to give orchestra quality . with it, but it was one of the most en­ ers. He said 'I couldn't tell you what the "I believe this was because theaters joyable experiences I ever had. difference is among boogie-woogie, rock had orchestras, and when the organ came "We played 'Ben Hur' for about three n' roll, and bop. I wouldn't have the on, they wanted it to sound as much like months. This was the original 'Ben Hur', slightest idea.' the orchestra as possible, so they design­ the silent version with Ramon Navarro. "I believe these are labels which are ed an instrument which would give that Then we played 'Beau Geste' with Ron- put on things for easy reference . But sound."

37 theatre organ I bombarde JNRESPONSE to the well-known fact way, which is now a parking lot. By this the popular songs of the day. All the that theater organists were looked time, sound pictures had come in, but publishers of popular songs would get down upon by classical organists, Gay­ we still played silent cartoons, newsreels out slides of their songs for promotional lord Carter had this to say: There were and organ solos for awhile. Then, I went purposes, and furnish them to the many more jobs available to theater or­ to the United Artists Theater down near theater organists, because they thought ganist~ than there were qualified, trained Nint~. and Broadway, where I played the theater was a good plug for their orgamsts. A lot of people who had been solos. music. playing pianos in theaters, switched to In answer to a question about Sid "'1:hen, some of the more energetic the organ, and little by little, they de­ Grauman, Gaylord replied: "When I pu~hshers would develop little presen­ veloped pedal technique and got known went to the Egyptian ( I believe I went tations around their tunes with certain as "left-foot organists." In other words there in 1934), §id Grauman had given ideas in which you'd use their things. they were just playing thump-thump~ up that one, too, as that was taken over Those o~ us who were doing theater thu1:1p-thump with the left foot, giving by Fox West Coast, and he was just presentations, would also come up with a krnd of bass effect and were never operating the Chinese. Later on, he gave little ideas. playing a pedal line or a bass line which that up. He sold these theaters, I under­ . "~hen we got the repeal of prohibi­ is what you have in classical organ liter­ stand, at perfectly enormous prices to tion rn 1933, I had the organ console ature. This is probably one of the rea­ theater chains. He developed them, set decked up like the counter in a beer hall sons they were looked down upon. up a certain fabulous atmosphere in the complete with a big bowl of pretzels. i "I also believe they were looked down theaters and then sold them to good ad­ came up, wearing an a pron, turned on and envied at the same time, because vantage. around, wiped off the console and said t~e theat~r organists were making pretty "At the Egyption, I was just the organ "What'll you have?" I played' the "Bee; big salaries, and the combination of in­ Barrel Polka" and things of that kind. eptitude in the pedal department and feature. This was in 1933-34 when there was considerable depression. The best When it was over, and the console going large salaries annoyed some of these down, I threw pretzels to the audience. people." seats in the house were 50c and the side seats were 25c. It was, however, a first­ "Another time, I had a rigged-up Getting back to his experiences, Gay­ run house. You could get in there for 25c, thermometer on the stage, and the loud­ l~rd continued. "At the last presenta­ see a beautiful picture, and (chuckle) hear er people would sing, the higher would tion we had at the Million Dollar be­ an organ solo by me, and remember I go the thermometer until when they fore it closed as a Publix house they in­ was getting $ 5 5 a week. It seemed like really were screaming at the end of the vited me to play a solo. The o;gan con­ an enormous amount of money then. presentation, the thermometer went clear sole in the Million Dollar was not on to. the top, a flash pot went off, and the "At about that time, I was invited to ~n ele~at

39 theatre organ I bombarde "You may remember that last year, and there's all the enthusiasm; where HARMONICS/BARTON we had a series of silent movies at Occi­ were they when I was playing in the (Continued from Page 17) dental College. This was not Flicker Fin­ theater? There didn't seem to be any­ gers; it was a silent movie festival. We body paying attention to the organ in the chest is the foot in flue pipes. It is played the scores on a concert organ, those days. It was all taken for granted. a boot in metal reed pipes. The extreme doing theater effects on the most rigid ot The organ rose out of the pit, and we bottom which fits into the air hole in concert instruments, a great Skinner." played a little organ solo. If the folks the wind chest is the toe on all stops. liked ic, they gave you a big hand; if In reed pipes the shallot ( echalotte) they didn't they sure didn't give you a is also called a reed. The vibrating part NOTHER place where Gaylord big hand! There was never anybody you is the tongue. A Career is featured is the Los An­ could really depend upon to be enthusi­ Block refers to part of the mouth in geles Spores Arena. "The Spores Arena astic, regardless of what happened. a wood stop; its counterpart in a metal is one of the places where an electronic pipe is the languid. A block is also a organ has been installed to use before "But, it is enormously stimulating to metal part of a reed stop. It is at the and during sporting events. The organ me, having played the theater organs in top of the boot and holds up the reso­ at the Dodger Stadium is a big feature the old days, and now seeing this revival nator. The shallot is on its underside.* of the action down there, and also at the of interest in the organ, in the silent Tongue is the vibrating brass strip in new Aneheim Stadium where the An­ movies and in the little presentations a reed pipe, also the hardwood piece that gels are. At the Sports Arena, I was which we have. joins the upper lip to the front board in a octave of a wood open diapason. privileged to play for the Blades, the "We recently went to Cincinnati with 16' Lakers, boxing events, track events and a Douglas Fairbanks picture, and 3,000 *The parts listed are illustrated in the article, all sorts of Sf?Orting activities. "How to Ruin a Theatre Organ," in the people turned out to see this presenta­ August, 1967, issue of this publication. "There, y~u play, more or less, the tion and hear the organ. They were b b b kind of music which will heighten the enormously enthusiastic. It was a great A little understood element of a pipe action. People will come up to you and night in the theater, and I'm sure I was organ is the harmonic structure of the give you requests, and of course, all the having more fun than anybody there. pipe. Harmonics are present in some de­ kids want to hear the Batman theme "One of the greatest experiences in gree in every musical sound. In many and Beatle songs. During one of the the theater was to go to a place like sounds they are easily distinguishable, intervals of a hockey game, we play the Paramount downtown, where there while in others they are not so plain and selections from "My Fair Lady" and dur­ was the concert orchestra in the pit, the in some musical sounds they are so faint ing the other one, numbers from "Sound big stage show with the stage band, the they are not audible to the human ear. of Music". All of this just to keep some­ organ playing a solo, and maybe a car­ The human singing voice, especially so­ thing going while the action is not tak­ toon. There was a feeling that you were prano, is the richest in harmonics or ing place on the floor. really getting something for your money. overtones. In highly resonant, metallic musical instruments such as cymbals, bells "Though they demolished the the­ "Now, you have that feeling today, and triangles, they are very audible. Ori­ aters, got rid of the theater organs, and too. But it's not quite the same. It may ental gongs have a great number. Instru­ maybe knocked the organ to the ropes a be that people spread it out a little bit. ments with stretched strings played with bit, it certainly has rebounded. There's You go to the theater and see a great a bow, violins, violas, cellos and bass always a spot for good music, and I'm picture. You go to the Hollywood Bowl viols are rich in harmonics. Brass in­ very grateful that there's a revived in­ and hear a great orchestra. You go to a struments are high in harmonics. terest in organ-playing. I believe this is "Flicker Fingers" and hear a great the­ Harmonics are the result of the natu­ due to several things. ater organ." ral law of sound which is a part of acous­ "One, of course, is the invention and tics. They are musical acoustics. Har­ dissemination of the electronic instru­ monics reinforce the fundamental sound, ments. So many people have organs in JNCLOSING the interview, Don Wal- influence the intensity and quality of a their homes now, so many youngsters lace had tJ-iis to say: 'Tm quite sure, musical tone. They blend with the uni­ son tone and with each other to make a are havin~ the opportunity to learn to Gaylord, that probably we've whetted play the organ through free lessons single tone creating brilliance and rich­ which are given with the purchase of an the interests of a lot of people to see ness. organ, and later on, through study with and hear you play for the next "Flicker This is the definition of harmonics as a good teacher. When a person has an Fingers". You kr:iow, I think it's won­ published in the International Encyclo­ organ in his home, he's interested in or­ derful to be able to make a living, doing pedia of Music and Musicians: "Law of gans being played in other places. something you enjoy doing and having Harmonics-a sonorous body vibrates as a whole and at the same time vibrates "Then, of course, the organ records as much fun as obviously you have, from in each of its several fractions as ½, ½, which have been on the market, by dis­ it." ¼, 1/ 5, 1/ 6, 1/7, etc." The harmonic tinguished musicians such as George "You're absolutely right, Don. I re­ intervals of ½, ½, ¼, 1/ 5, 1/ 6, 1/ 7, Wright and many others, have given a member when I was graduated from etc., always appear in the same regular great impetus to the interest in organ. and orderly succession. The first harmon­ Lincoln High School in Los Angeles out "Then, the organization, the ATOE, ic of ½ has nearly the same volume as on North Broadway, the principal, Ethel the Association of Theater Organ Enth­ the prime tone but from that point the usiasts. This is a group of people who Percy Andress said at the time, 'I hope volume diminishes as the harmonics have revived interest in organs, just as that whatever it is which you do, which ascend. Harmonics decrease in strength the ancient automobile societies have in­ takes most of your time, will be the as they rise in pitch. The loudest instru­ ments have the highest harmonics. terested people in old, old automobiles. thing you enjoy most'. It certainly has If there were no harmonics a pipe "I've often wondered when I'm playing been that in my case, and I'm very grate­ organ would be a pretty dismal sounding for a group of people from the ATOE, ful." affair. There would only be the heavy, october 1967 40 dull tones of the flute and diapason, for tones above the prime, the tone is C2, produce the musical tone. The wind they are the only organ stops that have eight times the vibrations of the prime sheet striking the upper lip also creates no audible harmonics. There would be tone or 523.2. The fraction of the prime a musical tone which must be the same no bright, colored stops that create di­ tone is Ys,representing the tone of a 1' frequency or vibrations per second as the versified musical sounds and contrasting open pipe and designated 22ND or OC­ prime tone of the pipe. The edge tone tone color. TAVE 15TH. and the prime tone are thus coupled to­ gether. I have proven the edge tone by To make it easier to understand this This tabulation is for one pipe 8' CC. sawing off a pipe just above the upper rather complicated subject, I am going Understand that the number of vibra­ lip so only the edge tone is sounding. to designate one pipe as a prime tone- tions of the prime tone and each of the 8' CC which vibrates 65.4 times per sec­ seven harmonics and the designating To prove these statements I suggest ond. It is the first note on the manual note and the length of the open pipe you hold your hand against the side of of a 61-note rank of an 8' stop. I am each harmonic represents will change a 16' wood pipe on a high pressure going to describe all the harmonics that with every note in every rank of pipes, organ when it is sounding and you will would be used with that pipe in an 61, 73, 85 or 97 notes, less if the pitch feel the pulsations pounding against the organ. is lower than 8' CC and increase if the pipe wall. To prove the vacuum princi­ pipes are higher in pitch. The harmon­ ple of sound production, place a few bits The vibrations are International pitch, ics that are audible to the human ear go of cotton inside the mouth of any large 523.3 C tuning fork. to the 31st and can be heard in some pipe and watch the cotton bits fly OUT Harmonic No. 1 - Eight full tones musical instruments such as orchestral of the pipe when it is sounded. Try above the prime tone, the tone is C twice bowed instruments and the human voice; blowing directly into a quart bottle; the vibrations of the prime tone, or however, the first seven as a rule are the there will be no result, then blow across 130.8. The fraction of the prime tone is only ones used in a pipe organ. Up t0 the top of the bottle and you will hear a musical tone. You have created a vac­ ½, representing the tone of a 4' open the sixth or seventh harmonics the qual­ pipe and designated OCTAVE. ity is rich and sonorous, above the sixth uum which set the air column in the bot­ and seventh the quality is harsh and tle into vibration and created the musical Harmonic No. 2 - Twelve full tones screamy. sound. This demonstrates the principle above the prime tone, the tone is G, used to produce tones in all flue or labial three times the vibrations of the prime All of these harmonic upper partial organ pipes. tone or 196.2. The fraction of the prime tones do not appear in all ranks of har­ tone is ½, representing the tone of a monic pipes. A pipe can be made to 2¼' open pipe and designated 12TH or speak with only one, two, three or the OCTAVE QUINT. full range of harmonics. In flue pipes the length of the tube and whether it is Harmonic No. 3- Fifteen full tones stopped or open, the position, cut and F1GURE I. VIBRATING STRING . SHOWING NODES (A) above the prime tone, the tone is Cl, arrangement of the mouth determines four times the vibrations of the prime which harmonics are used. In reed pipes A simple experiment will illustrate a tone or 261.6. The fraction of the prime the mixture of the metal, the size, length harmonic vibration or sound wave. tone is ¼, representing the tone of a Stretch about cwo feet of strong sering 2' open pipe and designated 15TH or and shape of the resonator is the deter­ between two pegs. Snap the string in the SUPER OCTAVE. mining factor, as well as the shape of the rongue and size and position of the hole center ( figure 1) at points A and A; Harmonic No. 4-Seventeen full in the shallot. The wind pressure is also there is no vibration. They are the nodes. tones above the prime tone, the tone is a factor in both flue and reed pipes. The place of greatest movement, BB, is El, five times the vibrations of the prime the anti-node. This is like a violin string tone or 327. The fraction of the prime The wind from the blower does not producing the first partial. At the same tone is 1/ 5, representing the tone of a go directly into the pipe like a tin whis­ time it also splits into fractions of ½, 1-3/ 5' open pipe and designated 17TH tle being blown by a kid. In flue or la­ ½, ¼, 1/ 5, 1/6, 1/ 7, etc., of its length, or TIERCE. bial pipes the wind passes from the foot producing a full series of harmonics. through a narrow slot formed by the cap Another experiment. Dismount an or­ Harmonic No. 5-Nineteen full tones and block in wood pipes and by the chestra bell or metal marimba bar, lay above the prime tone, the tone is G 1, lower lip and languid in metal pipes. it on strips of felt about one-quarter way six times the vibrations of the prime This stream of air or wind sheet strikes from each end. Sprinkle fine sawdust or tone or 392.4. The fraction of the prime against the upper lip, where it divides. other small particles over the bar. Strike tone is 1/ 6, representing the tone of a Some authorities say it moves back and the bar repeatedly in the center with a 1½' open pipe and designated 19TH or forth across the upper lip like a fan; och­ rubber marimba hammer. The particles LARIGOT. ers say when the stream of air strikes the will stare to dance and many will fall off upper lip it forms into a vortex or Harmonic No. 6-Between the 20th but you will soon see many particles whirling motion. Whichever way, it cre­ and 21st full tone above the prime tone, forming a line across the bar about one­ ates a suction which draws the air out the tone is between A# 1 and Bb1, seven third from each end. They will remain of the bottom of the pipe, creating a par­ times the vibrations of the prime tone stationary, with no movement no matter tial vacuum. The air column in the pipe or 457.8. The fraction of the prime tone how long you strike the bar. The parti­ expands to fill chis vacuum and this is 1/ 7, representing the tone of a 1-1/ 7' cles are lying on the node where there is movement stares the air column into vi­ open pipe and designated FLAT 21ST or no vibration. This method is used by bration, causing shocks, pulses and trem­ SEPTIME. This partial is the only one makers of bells, marimbas and xylo­ ors within the pipe. This action takes that is not harmonious. phones to determine where co bore the place hundreds of times in a second. Harmonic No. 7 - Twenty-two full These pulsations are sound waves which (Continued on Next Page)

41 theatre organ I bombarde mounting holes so they will not disrupt harmonic, the flat 21st or septime, is not opened shallot but is located higher up the tone quality. always used as it is not harmonious. The the face so the tongue closes the orifice Figure 2 represents an open flue pipe. seventh harmonic, the 22nd or octave before it has completed its downward It has one node slightly above the center 15th, cannot be made as it is another stroke, thus cutting off the harmonics of and two sections of air and sounds the octave not possible in a stopped pipe. its extreme end. le is used for smooth­ prime or fundamental tone. Figure 3 The harmonics in a stopped pipe are the toned reed stops such as trombones, and represents the same pipe. le has two second, fourth and fifth, which produce French horns in classic organs. le is little nodes and three sections of air and sounds an entirely different tone quality than used in theatre organs. the first upper partial or octave. A are the full range used in an open pipe. the nodes, B are the anti-nodes. The sec­ ond harmonic has three nodes and four sections of air and sounds the 12th or B• octave quint. The number of nodes and I sections of air continues to increase by one as they progress upward. All of the upper partials that have been allotted to any one pipe by the pipe designer and the voicer are moving up and down the barrel of the pipe all at the same time, each one vibrating at a different speed per second. They are also changing phase from condensation or compaction to rari­ fication or thinning out, each time they reach an anti-node, each partial creating A B C its own proper tone. They are all blend­ FIGURE 3. FIRST UPPER FIGURE 4. TYPES OF SHALLOT PARTIAL (OCTAVE), 2 ing with the prime tone and with each NODES, 3 PARTS orher to create a harmonic structure with In reed pipes the tuning is done by richness and brilliance. It is a natural Reed pipes all have harmonic devel­ moving the tuning wire up or down on law of sound, an acoustical phenomenon. opment. The vibration of the tongue the tongue but many reed pipes have causes the column of air in the resonator some means of regulating the tone qual­ to break up into vibrating segments. The ity, such as a slot with a changeable length length and thickness of the tongue sup­ on the side of the resonator near the top plies the proper pitch, the width and or bending a metal cover or shade as the form of the tongue supplies the loudness clarinet or standard oboe, or turning the and character of tone. The harmonics are cap to open or close holes in the side of created as already described for labial the resonator as a vox humana. pipes. The reed and tongue produce a Reed stops are classified as open stops,

B sound which has no true musical charac­ such as the tuba, trumpet and posthorn; ter but which has the same frequency as covered stops as an orchestral oboe. Part­ the prime tone produced in the resona­ ly covered stops as the clarinet, standard tor . The resonator changes this sound oboe or vox humana. To avoid very large into a musical tone of definite pitch and reeds and tongues in reed pipes of the timbre. 32 and 16' register a weight, usually a The reed or shallot is a brass tube brass button, is attached to the lower end slightly tapered, broader at the bottom of the tongues. This is called a "loaded FIGURE 2. PRINCIPAL TONE, I NODE, 2 PARTS and closed at the bottom end. It is made tongue." flat on one side which is the face. It is ( Dan Barton's treatise on harmonics In a stopped pipe which is identical mounted in the block inside the boot will be continued in the next issue.) to an open pipe except that it has been and under the resonator. The properly reduced in length nearly one-half and fit­ sized, curved reed is mounted on the face How to Play Cinema Organ ted with a stopper, the tonal quality or and held in place by a wedge at the timbre is entirely different than the open upper end. There is an opening in the (Continued from Page 32) pipe. The reason is the air column is re­ face of the shallot. These openings vary press upon organists the importance of duced by one-half. The pipe is now open in shape, proportion and position and and if that is intermittent and unsteady, only at the bottom end. The stopper acts create the harmonic build-up in the res­ the music has no vitality, it is sick, ailing as a node. When the pipe speaks its fun­ onator. The curve of the tongue cover~ and feeble, there is no life in it, it is of damental tone there is no node formed and uncovers the hole in the shallot by no use, and has no message to convey. in the air column as in an open pipe a rolling and unrolling motion. Figure Classical Music. We assume that the ( Figure 2). The first harmonic octave 4-A is an open shallot running its entire student has already acquired a good gen­ ( Figure 3) cannot be made as the sound length. This creates a tone rich in har­ eral technique, and if his training in wave is blocked at its center by the stop­ monics like the tubas, trumpets and post organ playing has been upon recognized per. The second harmonic, the 12th or horns. B shows a partly opened or closed and standard lines, he will know how to octave quint, is the first partial to speak shallot. le is triangular in shape, extend­ treat such music. The organist who is in a stopped pipe. The third harmonic, ing about one-third way up the shallot. also an artist, will never miss a suitable the 15th or super octave, does not speak It creates a brilliant tone of the kinura, opportunity for introducing music of a for the same reason the first or octave oboe, saxophone and clarinet. When used superior nature; at the same time, if he does not speak. The fourth harmonic, the with a quarter-length resonator the tone is wise, he will not overdo it. 17th or tierce, speaks. The fifth harmon­ is the vox humana. C is a "filled-in" shal­ Intermezzo. By the term "intermezzo," ic, the 19th or larigot, speaks. The sixth lot; it is the same size as the partly (Continued on Page 43)

october 1967 42 SPECIFICATIONS OF MOLLER OPUS 4373 SOLO SIDE How to Play Cinema Organ LOEW'S 83RD ST. THEATRE Clarinet 73 12" NEW YORK, N.Y. Major Vox Humana 73 12" (Continued from Page 42) 12-16-25 3/32 Kinura 73 12" 12" we usually imply a lively little piece in MAIN SIDE French Trumpet 73 English Horn 85 12" 2/4 or 4/ 4 time, and often in playing NO. WIND Major Violin 73 12" these on the organ, a considerable RANK PIPES PRESSURE Gross Flute 73 12" amount of impromptu adaptation and Contra Fagotta 85 7" Tuba Profunda 85 12" alteration from a piano copy is neces­ Mezzo Vox Humana 73 7" Violin 97 7" Viole Celeste T.C. 61 7" Bourdon 97 7" sary. Avoid low-sounding chords for the Violin D'Orchestre 73 7" Minor Vox Humana 73 7" left hand, transposing or altering the po­ 4' Harmonic Flute 73 7" Quintadena 73 7" sition of the chord if written too low. Concert Flute 73 7" 8' Harmonic Flute 73 7" Play lightly and rhythmically, with a Stentorphone 73 12" Viole Celeste T. C. 61 7" Gross Gamba Celeste T.C. 61 12" Orchestral Violin 73 7" rhythmic and practically staccato pedal French Horn 73 12" Open Diapason 85 7" bass, and avoid heavy stop combinations . Cornopean 73 12" Dopple Flute 73 7" It is so easy to play these pieces in a Tibia Clausa 97 12" Clarabella 73 7" way which makes the organ sound like Tibia Plena 97 12" Flute Celeste T. C. 61 7" Gross Gamba 73 12" Concert Harp 61 bars 7" some uncouth monster, giving one the Marimba Harp 49 bars Cathedral Chimes 25 tubes 7" impression of a performing elephant. 7" Orchestra Bells 37 bars Xylophone 49 bars Sustaining Notes. When scoring this Snare Drum Triangle Song Birds 3 Chinese Gong type of music, a composer will in vari­ Castanets Thunder Sheet Tympany Tubular Bell Sharp ous places introduce sustained notes for Tambourine Surf Effect Bass Drum Tubular Bell Flat Tom Tom Brush Cymbal Fire Gong Grand Crash middle instruments which sustain a part Sleigh Bells Cymbal Boat Whistle Chime Peal 6 Bells of the harmony ( such as horns), in order Ind ian Block Crash Cymbal tO bind the music together and avoid STOPLIST OF ORGAN AS PLANNED FOR MARTIN RESIDENCE undue choppiness. The organist, there­ MAIN CHAMBER fore, in playing such music should judi­ ciously introduce sustained notes which RANK ACC. GREAT SOLO PEDAL will not only give cohesion t0 the music Stopped Diapason 8', 4', 2-2/3', 2' 16', 8', 5-1/3', 2-2/3' 16', 8', 4' 2' but are necessary to give an effect of Tibia Plena 8', 4' 8', 4' 8' 8' steadiness on the organ. Tibia Clausa 8', 4', 2' 16', 8', 4', 2-2/3', 2' 16' , B', 4' 16', 8' Quintadena 8' 8', 4' Thumbing. A useful device in solo Diapason 8' 8', 4' 8' playing is that of thumbing in order tO Minor Vox Humana 16', 8', 4' 16', 8' bring a passage of melody into greater French Horn 8' 8', 4' 8' prominence, while at the same time se­ Violin 16', 8', 4', 2' 16', 8', 4', 2-2/3', 2' 16', 8' 16', 8' Orchestral Violin 8', 4' 8', 4' curing a more full effect in the accom­ Orch. Viol Celeste 8', 4' 8', 4' paniment or to produce the effect of two Marimba Harp 8', 4' 8' 8' solo passages running concurrently. This (reiterating) 8', 4' 8' necessitates the playing of part of the Orchestra Bells X X Glockenspiel X X accompaniment or one solo on one man­ ual with one hand, and the solo melody, SOLO CHAMBER or second solo, on the next manual Gross Flute 8', 4' 8', 4' 8' Tuba Profunda 16', 8' 16', 8', 4' 16', 8' 16' , 8' below with the thumb of the same hand; English Horn 8' 8', 4' 16', 8' thus leaving the other hand free tO play French Trumpet 8', 4' 16', 8' a counter-melody or add the accompany­ Contra Fagotta 16', 8', 4' 8', 4' 16', 8', 4' 16' ing chords. To do this neatly and effec­ Major Vox Humana 16', 8', 4' 16', 8' Kinura 8' 8' 8' tively requires skill, which can only be Clarinet 16', 8' 8' ensured through careful practice; unless Major Violin 8' 8', 4' 8' the thumbed passage is t0 be played Concert Harp 8', 4' actually staccato, an effect of detached Concert Harp Bells 4' 4' Saucer Bells 4' 4' 4' notes must be carefully avoided, and it Xylophone X X is very difficult to obtain a good legaro Bass Drum X effect, even when the notes are consecu­ Snare Drum X X tive. Tympany Chimes X X X Jazz. Whether we like or do not like Crash Cymbal X jazz, is beside the point and quite imma­ Brush Cymbal X terial; jazz is here and must be attended Chinese Block X Tom Tom X tO, and t0 shut our eyes to it is only t0 Triangle X imitate the proverbial stupidity of the Tambourine X ostrich. No one can pretend that it is a Castanets X high form of musical art, but whether it Sleigh Bells X ON TOE STUDS is art, science or mere mechanical tricks, Chinese Gong Tower Bell # Thunder Sheet Train jazz is a fact, and we cannot overlook it. Bird Whistles 3 Tower Bell b Surf Fire Gong An organise who does not play jazz COUPLERS music tO a jazz scene in the picture can Ace to Solo 8 Solo to Great 8 Ace 16 Gr. to Pedal 8 Solo 4 Solo to Great 4 Ace 4 Gr. to Pedal 4 only expect uncomplimentary remarks Solo 16 Great 4 Ace to Pedal 8 Solo to Pedal 8 Solo to Great 16 Solo to Ace 8 from his manager; and as a jazz scene TREMULANTS is almost invariably included in the film Solo Vox I Strings Brass Main Vox II (Continued on Page 44)

43 theatre organ I bombarde How to Play Cinema Organ style may be drama, comedy-drama, his­ decided these matters, we now follow the action of the play in detail, each (Continued from Page 43) torical or Oriental. Western or Cowboy pictures are humorous or serious accord­ change of scene or action being accom­ director's formula, the organist muse pre­ ing to the attitude of the viewer; to the panied by a corresponding and suitable pare himself for jazz. average adult, they are one long laugh; change in both the music and the man­ Vandalism. No organist possessing co the schoolboy, they are the sale of the ner of performance. Any one idea may artistic and good taste will mutilate a earth. All are alike in story, scenery and appear in its treatment on the screen, in classic melody by jazzing it; to "sym­ action; the plot invariably revolves very many different ways. around a mortgage deed, a faked mine, or phonically syncopate" a noble melody Our most reasonable course will be to which has become a recognized classic is stolen cattle; and is carried out through a varying number of pares by a series of classify screen action under the follow­ a wicked act of vandalism which can ing main headings-dramatic; agitation; only ·be prompted by a vulgar mind. frantic horse rides and pugilistic or re­ volver encounters. The wild Indian is mystery (including weird and grue­ The organist should remember one not yet dead, and occasionally re-appears some); quaint and grotesque; domestic; important fact which is only too often in these travesties. sentimental and affection; lively; dance; overlooked, that a large organ in its full stately and ceremonial; scenic. power can easily overpower a full sym­ Pnrpose of the Mmic. Whatever style phony orchestra, and consequently "F' the film may be, it is the organist's duty Dramatic. The term "Dramatic" may and "FF" indications are to be created co provide a good and suitable accompa­ cover any scene in which intense action relatively; "FF" does not necesarily im­ niment, and do all in his power to ensure or emotion is portrayed, and is a some­ ply the use of the full organ. Conse­ the success of the presentation. The music what vague term used here for want of quently, careful judgment should be ex­ should reproduce, emphasize, insinuate or a better one. A love scene may be dra­ ercised in the extent to which the player reflect the action of the phocoplay, which matic or sentimental. A dramatic scene should increase the power of the instru­ cannot be successfully presented without may be heavy or light or tense; a scene ment in playing passages so marked; for the music. The music can make a success only a slight degree above the right limit of a poor film, or it can ruin the effect of of dramatic surprise, one leading up co a is sufficient to vulgarize the performance. a good film; the picture is at the mercy fight or similar incident, and such emo­ tional scenes as passion, hate or revenge Organist's Miuic Library. The cinema may be termed heavy. A dramatic ten­ organist requires a very extensive library l 968 National Convention sion occurs when a sense of expectancy which must include music of all types in Los Angeles, 13-16 July. and suspense is created, and is most effec­ and periods, from the classics to modern jazz. A cinema organist who is playing tively carried out by a silent pause or regularly, will require a library of at of the musician; be considerate co it. music which will create tension. least 2,000 pieces to begin with. (My The student is warned against the own library comprises over 12,000 com­ Pre-Viewing. In order co compile an adequate musical setting, the organist over-use of any special dramatic effect; positions.) If, during a period of three the more any such effect is used, the less months, he does not repeat any item, he should view the film beforehand, and it is its actual effect, and ic ultimately be­ will play over 1,000 pieces, and chis does is only upon rare occasions, through comes an absurdity. Used just in the not allow a margin for selections or any some unforeseen circumstances, chat he shore-subject films. will be unable co do so. In such circum­ right place, a silent pause can produce stances, he will usually be able co secure an overwhelming effect, but when we Considering the regularity of attend­ a "musical suggestions" sheet, supplied have it several times during the course ance of cinema-goers, no piece should by the film-renter, which will provide of a picture, it becomes irritating. be repeated within a period of three him with a list of cues and changes in months; a piece soon becomes familiar, the picture with a suggested musical ac­ Agitation. Under the classification of for ic will be played at lease six times, companiment for each. "agitation" we include fights, riots, when we remember chat a film is usually storms, hurry, chase, fire, excitement of a shown for three days, and twice or three Atmosphere and Style. Knowing the dramatic nature, and personal agitation; times a day. The cinema organise muse style and period of the play, we must and music suitable for such scenes will keep his library up to dace and con­ secure the atmosphere, and co chis end vary considerably both rn character and stantly replenished with new numbers. it is imporcanc that the style of the music utilized shall be suitable and maintained pace. Sunimar)'. 1. Prepare yourself by ac­ quiring a good technique, complete con­ with good continuity throughout. Thus, Myster 1•. Scenes of mystery may be in an Oriental film, all the music should trol of the organ, and an adequate tense or agitated, in the first case creac- library. be oriental in style and coloring, but if a scene of western civilization is inter­ 2. Lee your music live, and lee rhythm polated, the atmosphere muse be changed Put a th ea tre or g an be your watchword. for chat scene by music which is free in your city's civic center. 3. Use your imagination, and apply it from oriental coloring. sensibly. The Theme. Our next point is the se­ ing a feeling of dread and suspense, and 4. Never descend to vulgarity. lection of one or more themes to denote the second, suspense and agi cation. 5. Think quickly and ace quickly. any leading or all-important idea in the Weird and gruesome scenes may also be How to Compile plot or any particular character of impor­ included in the general classification of A Film Accompaniment tance. The use of a leading theme helps "mystery," either of a tense or agitated to bind the musical setting together into nature. First Considerations. In arranging an a logical whole, as well as emphasizing accompaniment to the phocoplay, the Quaint and Grotesque. Quaint and the ideas portrayed on the screen. first points to consider are the style, grotesque scenes can also be made highly period and atmosphere of the story. The Following the Film Action. Having effective with the right music; a scene, october 1967 44 individual, or incident may be quaint FOR SALE: Rodgers 34E Theatre Organ, ex­ without being grotesque, and the two tras. Like new. Cost $12,500; Sell $8000 or offer. Stich, 1367 Keywood Court, Concord, ideas should be kept distinct. ClassifiedAds California (phone 689-4278). Domestic. Under the heading of "Do­ FOR SALE: Wurlitzer 235 console and re­ mestic" we group scenes of childhood, in lay (no switches); Orchestral Oboe $50; FREE: Austin Keyboards and Combination Kinura $125; Clarinet $125; VDO and Cel­ the home, the domestic affections and Action. Shuster, 17 Ravine Court, Clifton, esta $35 each; 16' Tuba and offset $250; 8' home life, pastoral scenes and country New Jersey 07013. Concert Flute and offsets $ 7 5; 16' Diaphone­ life, for all of which music mostly of a Diapason and offsets $250; Morton Vox $50; FOR SALE: Allen Custom 3 manual Theatre regulators; shutters. Terry Charles, 2265 N. quiet and light nature, varying in char­ Organ with Traps and Tuned Percussions. All Lagoon Circle, Clearwater, Florida 33515. acter according to the specific scene, will solid-state electronics. Like new condition. Phone: 813-447-1859. Price $8,500.00. E. C. Feild, Route 3, Box be employed-such as varying types of 33B, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901. Phone FOR SALE Books: Whitworth's Cinema and romances. Scenes of sentiment and affec­ 703-293-8081 after 6 p.m. Theatre Organs $15 .00 . Wurlitzer Hope­ tion will be accompanied by music of Jones Unit Orchestra $3.95. Wttrlitzer Unit FOR SALE: New Reginald Poort Theatre Or­ Organs $4.50. Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Fact the romance type, either song melodies gan arrangements (intermediate to advanced). Book, $2.00. Audsley's Art of Organ Build­ or compositions in song form, which William Tell Overture. Second Hungarian ing, two volumes, $15.00. Postpaid. Organ Rhapsody. Poet and Peasant Overture, $ 1.00 Literature Foundation, Nashua, New Hamp­ may vary accordingly if the scene is one each. Fritz Kreisler Favorites (album) $2.00. shire 03060. of child-love, mother-love, husband and Other stunning arrangements by Cappelli, WANTED: Stoo tabs for Robert-Morton the­ wife, sweethearts, flirtations, serious Pasquale and Scotti: Moonlight Sonata, Stars atre pipe organ." Please send list of what you and Stripes Forever ( complete with piccolo affection, or memories of the past. have and prices. D. E. Zeller, 5223 Glancy part) $1.00 each. Because, My Gal Sal (in­ Drive, Carmichael, California 95608. In scenes of love and affection, a distinc­ termediate to advanced with rich and intri­ tion should be drawn between the use of guing chromatic harmony) 75c each. Glow FOR SALE: 16' Trombone, 56 pipes, 15 Worm, Ida, Meet Me in St. Louis ( easy two inch pressure, E. M. Skinner, excellent con­ romances and classic melodies borrowed and three chorus arrangements with embel­ dition. Bottom 12 pipes, wooden resonators, from grand opera; the latter should lishments, modulations and old time jazz) straight. Best offer over $500. J. S. Walton, never be em ployed except in dramatic 75c each. Melody of Love ( easy two chorus 680 West Cedar, Olathe, Kansas 66061. arrangement with counter melody, modula­ FOR SALE: Wurlitzer 7 rank chest $400; love scenes where the selected melody is tion and rhythm change) 60c. All orders Post Toy Counter $300; Marimba $400; Xylo­ peculiarly adaptable. Paid. Cappelli Publications, P. 0. Box 186, phone $150; Chrysoglott $175; Orchestra River Forest, Illinois 60305. Bells $100; Chimes $100. Terry Charles, Lively Scenes. These include any 2265 N. Lagoon Circle, Clearwater, Florida FOR SALE: Allen 3 manual Theatre organ, 33515. Phone: 813-447-1859. scenes of merry-making, jollification, used. Victor Pianos and Organs, 300 NW carnival or fete, and the music appli­ 54th St., Miami, Florida 33127 (751-7502). FOR SALE: MOLLER 4 -24 STRAIGHT cable to such scenes should be obvious "THEATRE PIPE ORGAN" . Removed from WANTED: 2 or 3 manual horseshoe con­ Loew's Poli Theatre, New Haven, Conn. to the musician. sole, Barton or Wurlitzer preferred. Please Presently stored on street floor. Come Look­ send price and specs, also picture ( if pos­ Make Offer-Self Service Removal. ED Mc­ Dance. Ballroom, cabaret, and similar sible). D. Osterberger, 7113 Palma Lane, LAUGHLIN, New Haven Roll-A-Round dancing scenes are also obvious, and the Morton Grove. Illinois 60053. Rink, 384 Davenport Ave., New Haven, Conn. Tel. (203) 865-6906. musician should carefully note what par­ FOR SALE: Six rank Robert-Morton Theatre ticular dance is in progress - fox trot, Pipe Organ. Traps. 2 h.p. Motor. Sl,500. See FOR SALE: Modern Harmony for Organ. and play. Watson, 65 Ridge Road, Rumson, Free brochure. 17410 Gilmore St., Van Nuys, waltz, or tango. Solo, ballet or special New Jersey 07760. California 91406. stage dances, as also a dance of any particular nationality, will be especially noted. A dance may be in either duple careful connection of selected pieces, and or triple time, quick or slow. Such points maintaining a general atmosphere and should be obvious, and yet we so often style throughout in accordance with the hear a performance in which they are style of the picture. The theme has al­ NOW entirely overlooked with subsequent ready received attention; careful connec­ AVAILABLE damage to the effect of the picture. tion of pieces is secured by a suitable sequence of keys and modulation, and an exact Scenic. By the term "Scenic" are de­ here for the first time, we find the practi­ duplicate noted episodes in the picture where the cal necessity of a knowledge of harmony of the scene itself can have an important bear­ to the solo player. ing upon the incidents of the story. Unnecessary Chcmges. We have seen Mountains, the sea, a rocky seacoast, rap­ that each change in scene and action FAMOUS ids, the arid desert - in all of these, an shown in the picture is accompanied by impression or atmosphere can be effec­ HOWARD a suitable change in the music, but not tively created by the organist, by skill­ infrequently, discretion must be used be­ fully combining the right music with the "WONDER" SEAT fore deciding whether a change is really scene portrayed. The skillful introduction necessary in the music when the scene of such music at the right opportunity F.O.B. changes upon the screen. Sometimes, a can often add considerable interest to a DES MOINES, IOWA series of very short changes in scene can Also Howard seat replacement castings scene which would otherwise pass as of be more satisfactorily covered by one and Wurlitzer Black Cap magnet coils . no particular importance, in addition to piece of music than by short snatches of the impression and atmosphere created. different pieces, such as in "flash-back" KEYBOARD ENTERTAINMENT Continttity. Continuity of the music is scenes. PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING CO. 2117 40th St., DES MOINES, IOWA 50310 secured by three means - use of theme, (To Be Continued)

45 theatre organ I bombarde How do you describe the Rodgers Sound? You don't. It's an experience. You feel the sweet singing tibias-the subtle tonal colorings of the strings, reeds, and brass-the one big beautiful sound that wraps itself all around you ... and you feel it right down to the tips of your toes.

Play it and see. Rodgers has a whole new world of musical pleasure waiting just for you.

RODGERSORGAN COMPANY Factory Showrooms: 1300 N.E. 25th Ave. San Francisco -183 Golden Gate Ave. Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Chicago - 324 South Wabash